Another decision day for the playoff picture with four games on schedule
Four teams can book a ticket to the postseason depending on today’s results. The oddity is that three of them aren’t playing today. Sibir hosts Admiral, Avtomobilist faces Vityaz, Metallurg clashes with Severstal, and HC Sochi welcomes Kunlun Red Star.
After missing yesterday’s chance, Spartak can book its ticket to the playoffs today even without playing – they’ll get qualified if Kunlun Red Star loses to HC Sochi in regulation. The same result would also qualify Dynamo Moscow.
The KHL Monday starts in Novosibirsk, with Sibir facing Admiral as the teams face for the fourth time this season, with the hosts sweeping the series so far. However, Sibir isn’t exactly in top form, with four straight losses, to Lokomotiv (1:2 OT), Spartak (2:6), Avtomobilist (0:5), and Metallurg (2:5). The Sailors are doing a little better, with a win in their last game, against Barys (4:2), and three victories in the last five matches. Today, the teams will dispute the seventh place in the Eastern Conference’s standings, with Admiral up in the standings by one point, 60 against 59.
In the second game in the East, Avtomobilist takes on Vityaz. The teams only faced off once this season, with the Motormen claiming a 3:1 victory. However, Avtomobilist was just shut out by Severstal at home, on Saturday, while the Moscow Region franchise surprisingly defeated Salavat Yulaev on Friday. Despite the loss, the Motormen remain the second seed in the Eastern Conference, while Vityaz is the tenth seed in the West.
In the last game in the Eastern Conference, Metallurg hosts Severstal, with Andrei Razin once again going against his former team. Both Metallurg and Severstal have a chance to get to the playoffs. The most direct way to do so for both teams would be to achieve a win in today’s game, however, the Steelers would have a chance even in opposite case. If the Steelers lose to Magnitka in extra time, they can still get to the postseason today if Kunlun Red Star loses to HC Sochi in regulation. Or, should they lose to Metallurg in regulation, then the Dragons should lose to HC Sochi in regulation only. Severstal is currently riding a two-game winning streak, with victories over Barys (6:2) and Avtomobilist (4:0), while Metallurg most recently lost to Avangard (1:2).
In the Western Conference, HC Sochi hosts Kunlun Red Star. The Dragons have still some hope to catch the last postseason place, but they have a nine-point gap to Torpedo. A victory over HC Sochi today is imperative. However, earlier in the season, the Black Sea franchise clinched three wins over Kunlun Red Star, with only one win by the Dragons. HC Sochi lost to Torpedo on Friday (3:6), while Kunlun Red Star had a nice win in St. Petersburg on Saturday (6:4).
15:30: Sibir (25-23-9, 8th E) vs Admiral (27-22-10, 7th E)
About the game
Sibir starts a three-game home series on a four-match losing streak.
Admiral ends a two-game road trip following a win over Barys on Saturday (4:2).
The season series between the two teams is 3-0 (4:2, 1:0, 4:3 ОТ).
Injury list
Sibir: Fyodor Gordeyev.
Admiral: Artyom Chmykhov, Vyacheslav Osnovin.
17:00: Avtomobilist (35-15-7, 2nd E) vs Vityaz (21-29-7, 10th W)
About the game
Avtomobilist, who defeated Vityaz earlier this season (3:1), enters the third game of a four-match home series following a loss to Severstal on Saturday (0:4).
Vityaz starts a three-game road trip after defeating Salavat Yulaev on Friday (3:1).
Vityaz’s forward Dmitry Buchelnikov had an assist in each of his previous five matches.
Vityaz’s forward Alexei Makeyev is also on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Jesse Blacker, Curtis Valk.
Vityaz: Ivan Chekhovich, Vladimir Galuzin.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s goalie Vladimir Galkin may record his 50th KHL win.
Vityaz’s forward Vladislav Tsitsyura lines up for his 200th KHL game.
Vityaz’s goalie Dmitry Shikin may record his 10th shutout in the league.
17:00: Metallurg (34-19-4, 5th E) vs Severstal (36-20-1, 3rd W)
About the game
Metallurg starts a four-game home series after losing to Avangard on Wednesday (1:2).
Severstal, who defeated Metallurg earlier this season (5:2), ends a three-game road trip following two straight wins.
Severstal’s goalie Alexander Samoilov is on a 67:45 shutout streak.
Severstal’s forward Ruslan Abrosimov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Metallurg: Vladislav Yeryomenko, Danila Yurov.
Severstal: Yaroslav Dyblenko, Artyom Shchuchinov.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s forward Troy Joseph lines up for his 100th league appearance.
Metallurg’s forward Igor Geraskin may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 199).
Severstal’s goalie Alexander Samoilov may record his 10th KHL shutout.
19:30: HC Sochi (19-32-6, 11th W) vs Kunlun Red Star (25-28-5, 9th W)
About the game
HC Sochi starts a six-game home series following a loss to Torpedo on Friday (3:6).
Kunlun Red Star enters the third game of a ten-match road trip after defeating SKA on Saturday (6:4).
The season series between the two teams is 3-1 (4:0, 6:5 ОТ, 3:5, 4:2).
Injury list
Kunlun Red Star: Jack Chelios, Parker Foo, Tomas Jurco, Semyon Sinyatkin.
Milestone alert
HC Sochi’s forward Artur Tyanulin may reach 200 KHL games.
