16:30: Avangard vs Metallurg
Series stand
3-0 (4:1, 3:2 ОТ, 2:1 ОТ)
About the game
For the second time in as many games, Vladimir Tkachyov potted the OT winner as game three’s goal in Omsk gave the Hawks a commanding 3-0 lead in this first-round series against the defending champion, leaving Metallurg with a long road back to save the series. A road that however may start today, as Magnitka won’t surrender just yet. Metallurg head coach Andrei Razin gave Alexander Smolin the start in goal after Ilya Nabokov posted losses in the first two games. Nikita Mikhailis scored his 300th KHL point as Metallurg went ahead in the middle frame. Magnitka’s advantage, though, didn’t last long, as Konstantin Okulov tied things up after six minutes after Mikhailis’ strike. After a goalless third period, with both goalies called to key saves, Tkachyov once again was the driving factor for the Hawks’ take off.
Injury list
Metallurg: Vladislav Yeryomenko.
Avangard: Sergei Boikov.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s forwards Igor Geraskin and Daniil Vovchenko line up for their 50th game in the Gagarin Cup playoffs.
19:00: Ak Bars vs Avtomobilist
Series stand
1-2 (4:1, 3:4, 2:3 2ОТ).
About the game
For the first time this season, a playoff crowd was entertained with double overtime. Ak Bars rallied from a 0:2 deficit in the third period to tie this game. But the Motormen would not be denied. It took time, but in the 93rd minute Maxim Osipov grabbed the winning goal to put Avtomobilist up in this series. After Sergei Zborovsky and Stepan Khripunov scored for the Motormen, Dmitry Katelevsky and Dmitrij Jaskin replied for Ak Bars in regulation. Then, after a scoreless first extra-time period, Osipov gifted Avtomobilist the lead in the series and the team’s head coach Nikolai Zavarukhin his 200th league win.
Ak Bars’ forward Dmitrij Jaskin is on a five-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points over that span.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Yegor Babenko.
Avtomobilist: Curtis Valk.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ forward Kirill Semyonov lines up for his 700th league appearance. He has 134 goals and 211 helpers in his 699-game career in the KHL so far.
Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Barabanov may score his 100th league tally (currently at 99).
Avtomobilist’s defenseman Nick Ebert is one point away from reaching 100 career points in the league (currently at 99).
19:30: Severstal vs Spartak
Series stand
0-3 (4:5 ОТ, 2:4, 0:1).
About the game
Games between Severstal and Spartak are usually full of goals. However, Sunday’s encounter in Cherepovets proved to be the exception. The Muscovites scored midway through the first period, and that proved sufficient to take the third win in the series. Ansel Galimov scored the decisive goal for Spartak, then goalie Artyom Zagidulin stole the show with a 40-save performance that was his first-ever KHL shutout in the elimination stage. As a result, the Red-and-Whites move 3-0 up in the series, and can finish the job here on Tuesday.
Spartak’s goalie is on an 89:10 shutout series.
Injury list
Severstal: Yaroslav Dyblenko, Adam Liska.
Milestone alert
Spartak’s goalie Dmitry Nikolayev may record his 10th KHL shutout.
Spartak’s defenseman Andrei Mironov may reach 200 points in the KHL (currently at 198).
19:30: CSKA vs Dinamo Minsk
Series stand
1-2 (2:5, 3:5, 4:1).
About the game
At the end of the first period, CSKA was staring down the barrel. Twice beaten in Minsk, Ilya Vorobyov’s team was behind again on home ice and facing a daunting 0-3 scoreline in this Gagarin Cup first-round series after a goal by Chris Tierney in the first moments of the match. But this time the host found a way back. An early goal in the second tied the game, and the final frame saw the Muscovites approaching their best hockey with three more goals, mostly thanks to a double by Yegor Afanasyev and 28 saves by Ivan Prosvetov. Former Dinamo Minsk’s forward Ivan Drozdov produced three points for CSKA, with a goal and two helpers. Game four will be a hot contest in Moscow.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Ilya Usov.
CSKA: Vitaly Abramov
Milestone alert
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Vitaly Pinchuk lines up for his 200th KHL game.