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Key battles today as series hit crucial game five
Traktor and Admiral return to the Urals with the series finely poised after a dramatic game four. In Ufa, Salavat Yulaev looks to rediscover its scoring form against a resurgent Sibir. Dynamo Moscow stands on the brink of the second round but must overcome a determined SKA side desperate to stay alive. With every series tied or nearing a conclusion, the stakes couldn’t be higher as teams battle for control. Expect high-intensity action and key performances to shape the road ahead in the Gagarin Cup Playoffs.
17:00: Traktor vs Admiral
Series stand
2-2 (4:5, 2:1 ОТ, 3:4 ОТ, 7:3).
About the game
Traktor finally produced a performance that reflected the theoretical gap between the Conference’s top seed and its lowest-ranked contender. Six unanswered goals in the second and third periods helped the team square the series ahead of game five in Chelyabinsk today. Admiral led 3:1 at the first intermission, and looked well placed to secure a lead in the series before heading back to the Urals. However, Maxim Shabanov’s five-point performance led Traktor to the second victory in the confrontation. The Sailors could again enjoy a goal by productive blueliner Libor Sulak, but didn’t have the same support between the piping with Andrei Mishurov performing only 19 saves; perhaps he was a little tired after game three’s heroics. The series returns to the Urals for a key fifth game as Traktor has the home ice advantage in such a critical match, with Admiral playing its 700th game in the league.
Traktor’s forward Alexander Kadeikin is on a seven-game scoring streak, with 7 (2+5) points over that span.
Traktor’s defenseman Artyom Blazhiyevsky scored a goal in each of his previous three matches.
Injury list
Admiral: Artyom Nikolayev, Jack Rodewald.
Milestone alert
Traktor’s forward Nikita Korostelyov lines up for his 300th league appearance.
Admiral plays its 700th game in the KHL.
Admiral’s defenseman Artyom Chmykhov and forward Dmitry Zavgorodny may each reach 200 appearances in the league.
17:00: Salavat Yulaev vs Sibir
Series stand
2-2 (7:0, 8:2, 0:2, 1:2)
About the game
The Ufa attack struggled again in game four as Sibir tied the series at two with a tight 2:1 victory at home before the series returns to Bashkortostan today. Pavel Gogolev and Tayor Beck put the home team in front before Alexander Chmelevski deprived the Siberians of a shutout in the 58th minute. It was the first goal in this season’s playoffs for both Sibir forwards, with goalie Denis Kostin making 27 saves in a key victory for the Novosibirsk side, that will now move to Ufa with confidence. Game five will be a critical matchup as Salavat Yulaev will try to regain its scoring touch, while Sibir will try to ride the momentum.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Gleb Kuzmin.
Sibir: Georgy Belousov, Vladimir Butuzov, Pavel Gogolev, Fyodor Gordeyev.
Milestone alert
Sibir’s forward Taylor Beck may record his 250th assists in the KHL (currently at 249).
19:00: Dynamo Moscow vs SKA
Series stand
3-1 (3:1, 2:1 ОТ, 3:5, 5:4 2ОТ).
About the game
For the second time this season the league’s fans were treated to two OT periods, with Dynamo Moscow and SKA stuck at four after regulation time. Game four saw the Blue-and-Whites blow a two-goal lead in the closing minutes, then survive a shot off the post in regulation and a penalty shot in extra time. Then came a disallowed goal to SKA in the 74th minute, with Mikhail Vorobyov called as the offender. Later on, Dylan Sikura found Maxime Comtois from behind the crease, and the Canadian big man didn’t think twice and sent it home for a third win in the series. Dynamo’s goalie Maxim Motorygin posted an impressive 57-save performance, while Cedric Paquette netted a double and added a couple of helpers.
SKA’s forward Ivan Demidov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points over that span.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Nikita Gusev may tally his 250th KHL goal (currently at 249).
Dynamo Moscow’s defenseman Daniil Pylenkov may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
SKA’s forward Vladimir Alistrov may score his 100th point in the league (currently at 99).
SKA’s forward Sergei Plotnikov may reach 50 assists in the KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs (currently at 49).
