Moscow hosts a key clash between CSKA and Lokomotiv
Today’s action features three key games, starting with Metallurg hosting Barys as Magnitka looks to extend its home dominance, followed by Lada facing Torpedo in Togliatti where the visitors carry a five-game winning streak, and concluding with a high-stakes clash between CSKA and Lokomotiv that pits two top coaches and teams against each other in a battle fueled by summer transfers.
In the first game of the day, Metallurg hosts Barys. After two straight road wins, Magnitka returns to Magnitogorsk for five games, starting with today’s showdown against Barys. After defeating Ak Bars with a 6:3 score, Derek Barach’s double propelled Metallurg to earn a 5:2 win in Cherepovets against Andrei Razin’s former team. On the other end of the rink, Barys had a strong 5:2 victory over Dynamo Moscow at home as the Kazakhs will play their next three games on the road. History is on Metallurg’s side, with Magnitka claiming the last eight home games against Barys. Will this be enough to guarantee a win in today’s clash?
The next two games will unfold in the Western Conference. In Togliatti, Lada faces Torpedo. The two teams are in opposite situations, with Lada only winning once this season and the Nizhny Novgorod side topping the league with five consecutive victories. If that’s not again for the hosts, Lada’s last home win over Torpedo dates back to 2009, a 4:0 win on Oct. 5. Earlier this season, a double by Sergei Goncharuk helped Torpedo defeating Lada 4:3 in Nizhny Novgorod. Will Lada be able to change its fate with a win today?
Closing the match day is a top clash between CSKA and Lokomotiv. Igor Nikitin’s first encounter with his former team is set to be intense. The coach who led Yaroslavl to the Gagarin Cup left the club this offseason and returned to CSKA, where he previously enjoyed success. Interestingly, Nikitin at Lokomotiv was replaced by Bob Hartley. These two coaches clashed in the finals of 2019 and 2021: Nikitin’s CSKA won the first, while Hartley’s Avangard prevailed in the second. Now, fans get another showdown between top coaches, fueled by summer transfers. It promises to be exciting! The Muscovites will seek rehabilitation in front of their fans after losing the Derby to Spartak with CSKA up 4:1 by the mid-game mark, and despite Daniel Sprong’s first KHL hat-trick.
17:00: Metallurg (3-0-2) vs Barys (3-1-0)
About the game
Metallurg starts a five-game home series following two straight wins.
Barys starts a three-game road trip fresh off a win over Dynamo Moscow on Monday (5:2).
Metallurg’s forward Dmitry Silantyev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points over that span.
Metallurg’s forward Roman Kantserov is also on a three-game scoring streak, but with 4 (1+3) points.
Barys’ forward Michael Vecchione is on a four-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points over that stretch.
Barys’ forward Emil Galimov is also on a four-game scoring streak, but with 4 (1+3) points.
Injury list
Barys: Nikita Boyarkin, Batyrlan Gaitamirov, Ivan Nikolishin, Roman Starchenko, Tyce Thompson.
18:00: Lada (1-3-0) vs Torpedo (5-0-0)
About the game
Lada enters the second game of a five-match home series on a three-game losing streak.
Torpedo is in the middle of a five-game road trip and won its previous five matches.
Lada’s forward Ryley Sawchuk is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
Torpedo’s goalie Ivan Kulbakov is on a 78:01 shutout streak.
Torpedo’s forward Sergei Goncharuk is on a six-game scoring streak, with 9 (4+5) points over that stretch.
Injury list
Lada: Nikita Mikhailov, Alexei Ozhgikhin.
Torpedo: Maxim Letunov.
Disqualifications
Lada’s forward Andrei Altybarmakyan serves the second game of a five-match ban.
Milestone alert
Torpedo’s forward Alexei Kruchinin may net his 100th tally (currently at 99).
19:30: CSKA (3-1-1) vs Lokomotiv (3-1-1)
About the game
CSKA ends a two-game home series following a loss to Spartak on Tuesday (5:6 SO).
Lokomotiv ends a four-game road trip after defeating Lada also on Tuesday (6:1).
Injury list
CSKA: Yegor Fateyev, Danila Moiseyev, Maxim Sorkin.
Lokomotiv: Daniil Tesanov.
Milestone alert
CSKA’s forward Pavel Karnaukhov lines up for his 500th league appearance.
Lokomotiv’s forward Alexander Polunin may record his 100th assist in the KHL (currently at 99).
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk may record his 10th league shutout.
