Shanghai Dragons host Lokomotiv in a premier clash
The KHL matchday features five games filled with intriguing storylines. Sibir faces Admiral in Novosibirsk, both teams aiming for redemption and a milestone 100th coaching win. Salavat Yulaev welcomes Avtomobilist in Ufa, with both sides riding mixed results. The Western Conference showcases Sochi vs CSKA, as the Muscovites target a third straight victory. Shanghai Dragons host Lokomotiv for their home series finale, and Torpedo meets Lada, both still unbeaten this season.
The KHL matchday kicks off in Novosibirsk, with an intriguing matchup between Sibir and Admiral. The Novosibirsk side is at its second match this season, following a 0:2 loss to Amur in the home opener on Sunday. They will seek not only a first win, but also a first goal. Today’s opponents, Admiral, also suffered from a shutout loss, to CSKA (0:1), but collected a win in its first game, in St. Petersburg against the Shanghai Dragons (4:3 SO). Interestingly enough, both teams’ head coaches are set to celebrate their 100th win as KHL head coaches. Who will get there first?
In Ufa, Salavat Yulaev faces Avtomobilist. After losing to Torpedo in the first game of the season, Salavat Yulaev achieved a nice win in Magnitogorsk (3:2 OT) with Alexander Chmelevski netting the game-winner. The Motormen had a similar path, with a loss to Lada in the first game (3:4) and a convincing victory in Kazan (6:3). It will be an exciting game that can easily go either way.
The action then moves to the Western Conference. In Sochi, CSKA will seek its third straight victory after defeating Dynamo Moscow (6:2) and Admiral (1:0), with Spencer Martin celebrating his first shutout in the KHL – the Canadian netminder has so far two wins in two games. Vladimir Krikunov’s HC Sochi played two games in Moscow so far, losing to Spartak (3:4), but defeating Dynamo (3:2 SO) – today the team will try to hand CSKA its first defeat of this season.
In St. Petersburg, the Shanghai Dragons will end their first home series of the new campaign hosting the Gagarin Cup champs, Lokomotiv. The Railwaymen are currently unbeaten, while the Dragons are yet to lose in regulation after an extra time loss to Admiral (3:4 SO).
Closing an exciting match day is a third Western Conference’s clash with Torpedo hosting Lada. Both sides are also yet to lose this season so far, but if Torpedo did play twice, Lada only defeated Avtomobilist on Monday (4:3) in its first effort.
15:30: Sibir (0-1-0) vs Admiral (1-1-0)
About the game
Sibir ends a two-game home series following a loss to Amur on Sunday (0:2).
Admiral ends a three-game road trip after losing to CSKA on Wednesday (0:1).
Injury list
Sibir: Andrei Churkin.
Milestone alert
Sibir’s head coach Vadim Yepanchintsev and Admiral’s bench boss Leonids Tambijevs can both celebrate their 100th win in the league.
17:00: Salavat Yulaev (1-1-0) vs Avtomobilist (1-1-0)
About the game
Salavat Yulaev plays the lone home game of the series following a win over Metallurg on Monday (3:2 OT).
Avtomobilist ends a three-game road trip after defeating Ak Bars on Wednesday (6:3).
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Artyom Pimenov.
Avtomobilist: Curtis Valk, Sergei Zborovsky.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s forward Alexei Byvaltsev may reach 250 KHL points (currently at 249), while forward Stephane Da Costa can reach 500 (currently at 495).
19:30: HC Sochi (1-1-0) vs CSKA (2-0-0)
About the game
HC Sochi starts a three-game home series after defeating Dynamo Moscow on Tuesday (3:2 SO).
CSKA starts a two-game road trip and won its previous couple of matches.
CSKA’s goalie Spencer Martin is on a 69:52 shutout streak.
Injury list
HC Sochi: Jean-Christophe Beaudin, Amir Garayev.
CSKA: Yegor Fateyev, Danila Moiseyev, Maxim Sorkin, Vladislav Yeryomenko.
19:30: Shangai Dragons (1-0-1) vs Lokomotiv (2-0-0)
About the game
The Shanghai Dragons ends a three-game home series following a loss to Admiral on Monday (3:4 SO).
Lokomotiv starts a four-game road trip and won its last two consecutive matches.
Injury list
Lokomotiv: Daniil Tesanov.
Milestone alert
Shanghai Dragons’ forward Nikita Popugayev may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 199).
Lokomotiv’s forward Alexander Polunin may score his 100th league assist (currently at 99).
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk may record his 10th shutout in the league.
Lokomotiv’s forward Artur Kayumov may reach 250 league points (currently at 248).
19:30: Torpedo (2-0-0) vs Lada (1-0-0)
About the game
Torpedo ends a three-game home series and won its previous couple of matches.
Lada starts a two-game road trip following a win over Avtomobilist on Monday (4:3).
Injury list
Torpedo: Maxim Letunov.
Lada: Nikita Mikhailov, Alexei Ozhgikhin.
Milestone alert
Torpedo’s forward Alexei Kruchinin may score his 100th tally in the KHL (currently at 99).
