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Playoffs anticipation in Moscow; four games today
Spartak and Dinamo Minsk clash in Moscow in a postseason preparation game, while Traktor hosts Neftekhimik, Salavat Yulaev welcomes CSKA, and Ak Bars faces Lada.
The matchday starts in Chelyabinsk, with a showdown between Traktor and Neftekhimik. The teams are at the fourth encounter this season, with the Black-and-Whites claiming them all so far. Traktor is riding a three-game winning streak, defeating Lada (4:1), Amur (5:2), and Admiral (2:1). The Wolves move to Chelyabinsk after a double header against Ak Bars, with the Tatarstan teams trading wins (2:3, 3:2 OT). Traktor maintains its spot at the top of the Eastern Conference’s table, while Neftekhimik is still hunting for the last postseason spot in the conference but has a seven-point gap from Admiral and Sibir.
Another exciting showdown is scheduled in Moscow, with Spartak hosting Dinamo Minsk. With the Red-and-Whites in second place and Dinamo Minsk in seventh, this is a possible first-round meeting, and this will add an extra layer of excitement to the Sunday showdown. Both teams won their previous three matches, with Spartak defeating Sibir (6:2), Dynamo Moscow (3:2 OT), and Torpedo (7:4), while the Bisons got the best of Dynamo Moscow (5:0), CSKA (4:1), and Vityaz (4:2). Earlier in the season, Spartak defeated Dinamo Minsk twice.
The matchday will feature another couple of games in the East, with Salavat Yulaev hosting CSKA and Ak Bars facing Lada. The Muscovites head on the road with a three-game losing streak. During this stretch, Ilya Vorobyov’s squad managed to score just two goals in total against HC Sochi (0:2, 1:4) and Dinamo Minsk (1:4). With 70 points, CSKA sits in sixth place in the Western Conference, just one point ahead of the Bison. Salavat Yulaev, meanwhile, is in the top four of the Eastern Conference with 75 points. The Ufa team has also struggled recently, scoring just one goal over their last two games against Lada (0:3) and Vityaz (1:3). Which team will be able to break their negative streak in the upcoming matchup?
Earlier this season, Ak Bars won all three head-to-head matchups against Lada (4:3, 3:1, 3:1). Heading into another clash with Togliatti’s team, the hosts are coming off a split result in the Tatarstan derby against Neftekhimik (2:3 – 3:2 OT). With 74 points, Anvar Gatiyatulin’s squad sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Forward Nic Petan’s participation in the upcoming game is in question due to a minor injury. Lada currently sits in tenth place. Pavel Zubov’s team traveled to Kazan from Chelyabinsk, where they had no answer against Traktor in a 1:4 defeat.
14:00: Traktor (38-15-6, 1st E) vs Neftekhimik (18-24-15, 9th E)
About the game
Traktor enters the second game of a five-match home series on a three-game winning streak.
Neftekhimik enters the second game of a six-match road trip following a loss to Ak Bars on Friday (2:3 OT).
The season series between the two teams is 3-0 (3:2, 6:2, 4:2).
Traktor’s defenseman Logan Day had at least one assist in each of his previous four games, totaling five helpers.
Traktor’s forward Vitaly Kravtsov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points over that span.
Traktor’s defenseman Grigory Dronov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Roman Abrosimov, Alexander Dergachyov, Yegor Korbit, Mikhail Pashnin.
Milestone alert
Traktor’s goalie Zach Fucale may line up for his 100th league appearance.
Neftekhimik’s forward Vyacheslav Leshchenko may reach 100 KHL goals (currently at 99), 100 assists (currently at 99), and 200 points (currently at 198).
14:00: Spartak (33-15-8, 2nd W) vs Dinamo Minsk (31-18-7, 7th W)
About the game
Spartak ends a four-game home series on a three-game winning streak.
Dinamo Minsk ends a four-game road trip and is also on a three-game winning streak.
The season series between the two teams is 2-0 (5:2, 3:2 OT.)
Spartak’s forward Nikolai Goldobin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that span.
Spartak’s forward Mikhail Maltsev is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Dinamo Minsk’s goalie Vasily Demchenko is on an 86:58 shutout streak.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Vadim Moroz had an assist in each of his previous three games.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Dillon Dube, Nikita Pyshkaylo.
Milestone alert
Spartak’s goalies Dmitry Nikolayev and Artyom Zagidulin may record their respective 10th league shutout.
Spartak’s forward Pavel Poryadin lines up for his 500th KHL game, while Dinamo Minsk’s forward Sergei Kuznetsov reaches 100.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Vadim Shipachyov may score his 300th KHL goal.
14:30: Salavat Yulaev (36-18-3, 3rd E) vs CSKA (31-17-8, 6th W)
About the game
Salavat Yulaev starts a two-game home series on a two-match losing streak.
CSKA, who defeated Salavat Yulaev earlier this season (2:0), starts a two-game road trip following three straight defeats.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Gleb Kuzmin.
CSKA: Vitaly Abramov, Ivan Prosvetov, Dmitry Samorukov.
Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s defenseman Dinar Khafizullin becomes the 20th player in KHL history to reach the 800-game mark.
CSKA’s head coach Ilya Vorobyov may record his 350th KHL win.
CSKA’s defenseman Nikita Nesterov may reach 200 assists in the league (currently at 198).
17:00: Ak Bars (36-19-2, 4th E) vs Lada (20-30-6, 10th E)
About the game
Ak Bars ends a two-game home series following a win over Neftekhimik on Friday (3:2 OT).
Lada is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost to Traktor also on Friday (1:4).
The season series between the two teams is 3-0 (4:3, 3:1, 3:1).
Lada’s forward Ivan Romanov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Yegor Babenko, Mitchell Miller.
Lada: Vladislav Chervonenko, Nikolai Demidov, Maxim Groshev, Pavel Koltygin.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ defenseman Albert Yarullin lines up for his 700th KHL game, while Yegor Korshkov reaches 500.
