Lokomotiv on the brink: will they clinch the Continental Cup today?
Three exciting matchups are set for today as the KHL regular season nears its climax. Avangard looks to extend its incredible twelve-game winning streak as they take on Eastern Conference leaders Traktor. Meanwhile, Lokomotiv is just one step away from securing the Continental Cup and will seal the trophy with a win over Neftekhimik—or even under certain other scenarios. At the same time, Neftekhimik is facing a last call to keep its Eastern Conference playoff hopes alive. In the final game of the day, SKA hosts HC Sochi, with the St. Petersburg side aiming to continue its strong form ahead of the playoffs.
Avangard will seek its thirteenth straight win as the Hawks wrap up a short homestand today facing Traktor. It will be the fourth meeting between the two sides this season, with the Chelyabinsk squad being up 2-1 in the series. Traktor retained the lead in the Eastern Conference’s table despite a setback in Kazan on Wednesday, with a 2:6 loss despite a lacrosse goal by top scorer Maxim Shabanov. Avangard’s winning streak has now reached twelve games, with the team remaining unbeaten since Feb. 4. In their previous matchup, the Omsk side edged out Torpedo (4:3), with the game-winning goal credited to Vladimir Tkachyov. The forward immediately proved his importance to the Hawks in his very first game of the season. Now, Guy Boucher’s team faces a test against the conference leaders.
Then, Lokomotiv faces Neftekhimik. The Railwaymen, who confidently led the regular season for most of the campaign, is now just one step away from securing the Continental Cup. Lokomotiv will claim the trophy if they defeat Neftekhimik by any means. Another scenario for their triumph is if the Railwaymen avoid a regulation-time loss to Neftekhimik, while Traktor falls to Avangard beyond regulation. The third option is that if Traktor loses to Avangard in regulation, Lokomotiv will clinch the trophy regardless of their own result against the Wolves. Igor Nikitin’s team continues its three-game home stand, which began with a shutout victory over Severstal (3:0). Neftekhimik arrives in Yaroslavl to start a three-game road trip, having previously secured narrow wins over Admiral (3:2) and Dynamo Moscow (4:3). They currently sit five points outside the playoff zone, teetering on the brink. A regulation loss to Lokomotiv would make it mathematically impossible for Oleg Leontyev’s squad to catch eighth-placed Sibir.
In the final clash of the matchday, SKA hosts HC Sochi. It looks like SKA’s coaching staff has managed to stabilize the team’s play ahead of the elimination stage. They are currently on a three-game winning streak, having defeated tough opponents—CSKA (3:2 OT), Metallurg (4:2), and Dinamo Minsk (3:1). As a result, the St. Petersburg side has temporarily climbed to sixth place in the Western Conference with 77 points. Sochi, on the other hand, remains at the bottom of the standings, suffering seven consecutive losses. Over their last three games, Sergei Zubov’s team—led by a coach who was part of SKA’s staff last season—has scored just two goals. Can they pull off an upset in the Northern Russian capital?
16:30: Avangard (39-21-4, 6th E) vs Traktor (42-17-6, 1st E)
About the game
Avangard wraps up a two-game home series on a twelve-match winning streak.
Traktor ends a three-game road trip following a loss to Ak Bars on Wednesday (2:6).
The season series between the two teams is 1-2 (2:4, 3:1, 3:4).
Avangard’s defenseman Semyon Chistyakov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
Traktor’s goalie Sergei Mylnikov is on a 69:09 shutout streak.
Traktor’s forward Andrei Svetlakov is on a six-game scoring streak, with 9 (2+7) points over that stretch.
Traktor’s forward Maxim Shabanov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 12 (4+8) points.
Traktor’s forward Nikita Korostelyov is also on a five-game scoring streak, with 8 (4+4) points.
Traktor’s forward Vitaly Kravtsov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points.
Injury list
Avangard: Sergei Boikov.
Milestone alert
Traktor’s forward Mikhail Goryunov-Rolgizer lines up for his 100th league appearance.
Traktor’s forward Vitaly Kravtsov may score his 100th KHL goal (currently at 99).
19:00: Lokomotiv (46-15-3, 1st W) vs Neftekhimik (21-25-17, 9th W)
About the game
Lokomotiv is in the middle of a three-game home series and defeated Severstal on Monday (3:0).
Neftekhimik, who defeated Lokomotiv earlier this season (1:0), starts a three-game road trip on a two-match winning streak.
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk is on a 76:15 shutout streak.
Lokomotiv’s forward Byron Froese is on an eight-game scoring streak, with 10 (6+4) points over that span.
Lokomotiv’s forward Georgy Ivanov scored at least one goal in each of his previous three matches, totaling five tallies.
Lokomotiv’s defenseman Rushan Rafikov had at least one assist in each of his previous three games, totaling four helpers.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Roman Abrosimov, Alexander Dergachyov, Yegor Korbit, Fyodor Kroshchinsky, Luka Profaca.
Milestone alert
Neftekhimik’s forward Jean-Sebastian Dea lines up for his 100th league appearance.
Neftekhimik’s forward Vyacheslav Leshchenko may score his 100th league goal (currently at 99).
19:30: SKA (36-23-5, 7th W) vs HC Sochi (19-37-7, 11th W)
About the game
SKA wraps up a three-game home series on a three-match winning streak.
HC Sochi starts a four-game road trip on a seven-match losing streak.
The season series between the two sides is 2-1 (7:4, 2:5, 5:4).
SKA’s forward Arseny Gritsyuk is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (4+3) points over that span.
SKA’s defenseman Alexander Nikishin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points.
Injury list
SKA: Evgeny Kuznetsov.
HC Sochi: Sergei Ivanov.
Milestone alert
SKA’s forward Sergei Tolchinsky may reach 100 KHL goals (currently at 99).
HC Sochi’s forward Artur Tyanulin may line up for his 200th league appearance.
