Merkley’s progress and Rau’s points. Week 23 top imports
Ryan Merkley progresses nicely with Avangard, while Kyle Rau follows in his brother’s footsteps with Kunlun Red Star. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
Canada
D, Avangard, 3 G, 3 (0+3) points, +4
After a strong first year with Kunlun Red Star, many thought that moving to a contending team would have been a matter of time for Merkley, and that eventually happened when he joined Avangard in November. With the Hawks, Merkley kept his scoring pace and helped the team winning four straight matches and being on a seven-game point streak. In particular, the dynamic defenseman had a pair of helpers in Avangard’s win over Amur on Thursday (7:1), ending the game with a plus-3 rating. He also had another assist when the Hawks defeated Ak Bars on Sunday (6:2). The Hawks are one of the hottest teams in the league, and they will need Merkley’s 200-foot game to shine as the postseason approaches.
US
F, Kunlun Red Star, 3 G, 5 (2+3) points, +5
Despite the Dragons’ chances to reach the playoffs are getting thinner and thinner, Rau’s game has elevated since he joined the team at the trade deadline and last week, he was instrumental for Kunlun Red Star. The American forward, whose older brother Chad has lined up for the Dragons in the 2019-2020 season, scored points in all games last week, helping Kunlun Red Star snatch two wins in three matches and keep at least some hope for a postseason qualification. In particular, Rau contributed three points with one goal and two helpers as Kunlun Red Star defeated Vityaz on home ice on Saturday (5:4 SO). He also had an assist in the Dragons’ losing effort to Torpedo (1:4) and scored his second tally of the season on Tuesday, when Kunlun Red Star collected a win over Salavat Yulaev (4:2). The Dragons are currently at nine points from Torpedo, with twelve games to be played in the regular season.
Czechia
D, Admiral, 3 G, 2 (0+2) points, +3
The Czech defenseman is proving to be useful to the Sailors even when he doesn’t score points. Last week, Admiral only collected one victory, at home against Avtomobilist (4:3 OT), with Sulak racking up an assist as Ivan Muranov opened the score in the first period. That night, the Czech defenseman ended the game with a plus-2 differential and was on the ice in the OT game-winner netted by Pavel Shen, even if with the man advantage. Sulak also posted a plus-1 rating in Admiral’s losing effort against Traktor on Saturday (1:2). Earlier in the week, the Czech blueliner posted a helper as Admiral lost at home to Avangard (2:5). Sulak’s role will only increase within the team as the playoffs get closer and closer.
Slovakia
D, Lokomotiv, 3 G, 2 (0+2) points, +3
Gernat’s numbers are very similar to Sulak’s, with Lokomotiv equally winning only one match last week, just like Admiral. Gernat assisted Andrei Sergeyev’s game-winning goal in the Railwaymen’s victory over Severstal on Friday (5:1), then had another helper in Lokomotiv’s losing effort to Salavat Yulaev two days later (2:3). The Slovak blueliner posted no points as Lokomotiv suffered a loss in Minsk on Wednesday (1:3). The Railwaymen keep on leading the way in the West, and Gernat’s versatility will be much needed in Yaroslavl for the end of the regular season and the elimination stage.
