Metallurg faces Admiral, CSKA clashes with Lokomotiv
Only two games are on tap today, one per conference, with Metallurg facing Admiral and CSKA facing off against Lokomotiv in two exciting matches.
In the Eastern Conference, Metallurg will face Admiral as the teams face off for the fourth time this season, with Magnitka having, so far, a 2-1 lead in the series. Metallurg enters today’s game on a three-game winning streak, with victories coming in matches against Vityaz (3:2 SO), Kunlun Red Star (7:1), and CSKA (4:2). The Sailors clinched a postseason spot recently, but lost to Barys at home (4:5 SO) and Lokomotiv (1:4). In Magnitka’s win over Vityaz, Luke Johnson confirmed his ability to deliver when it matters as he netted the game-winning shootout. That success brought Magnitka up to third place in the Eastern Conference, while Admiral is sailing in the eighth spot.
In the West, CSKA faces Lokomotiv in another classical KHL matchup. Lokomotiv’s head coach, Igor Nikitin, will once again face off against CSKA—the team he led to a Gagarin Cup victory in 2019. Now, he is aiming for the ultimate trophy with Yaroslavl, and there have already been some notable achievements along the way. A commanding 4:1 win over Admiral secured Lokomotiv the Continental Cup. The hosts have collected 98 points with 47 wins in 66 games. Meanwhile, CSKA is still battling for a top-four finish in the Western Conference, currently sitting at 83 points. The Red-and-Blues are coming off back-to-back losses against Metallurg (2:4) and Dynamo Moscow (1:2). The two teams have met three times this season, with CSKA winning twice (2:0, 2:1, 1:4).
17:00: Metallurg (42-20-4, 3rd E) vs Admiral (28-25-12, 8th E)
About the game
Metallurg wraps up a four-game home series on a three-match winning streak.
Admiral enters the second game of a four-match road trip on a two-game losing streak.
The season series between the two teams is 2-1 (3:2 ОТ, 4:3 ОТ, 2:4).
Metallurg’s defenseman Robin Press is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Metallurg’s forward Luke Johnson is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Admiral’s forward Daniil Gutik is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points.
Admiral’s defenseman Libor Sulak is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury list
Metallurg: Vladislav Yeryomenko, Danila Yurov.
Admiral: Leonid Metalnikov, Shane Prince.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s forward Nikita Mikhailis may reach 300 KHL points (currently at 299).
Metallurg’s forward Alexander Petunin may record his 200th point in the league (currently at 199).
Metallurg’s defenseman Alexei Maklyukov may score his 100th point in the KHL (currently at 99).
Admiral’s defenseman Artyom Chmykhov may line up for his 200th league appearance.
Admiral’s forward Nikita Soshnikov may net his 100th league goal (currently at 99).
19:30: CSKA (37-19-9, 4th W) vs Lokomotiv (47-15-4, 1st W)
About the game
CSKA is in the middle of a three-game home series and lost its previous couple of matches.
Lokomotiv starts a two-game road trip fresh off a win over Admiral on Tuesday (4:1).
The season series between the two teams is (2:0, 2:1, 1:4).
Lokomotiv’s defenseman Rushan Rafikov had at least one assist in each of his previous five matches, totaling six helpers.
Injury list
CSKA: Vitaly Abramov, Colby Williams.
Lokomotiv: Stepan Nikulin.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s defenseman Rushan Rafikov lines up for his 600th league appearance.
Lokomotiv’s forward Alexander Polunin may net his 100th KHL goal (currently at 99).
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk may record his 10th league shutout.
