First Green Derby as Ak Bars, Salavat battle to bounce back
After yesterday’s packed schedule, Friday brings five matchups, beginning with Amur and Sibir squaring off for the second time this week, both seeking crucial points. Avtomobilist hosts Spartak after opposite recent runs, while Traktor welcomes Neftekhimik for a key three-game home stretch. The first Green Derby of the season highlights Ak Bars battling Salavat Yulaev, and Western action closes out the day as SKA faces Dinamo Minsk in St. Petersburg’s final home game before Minsk’s home opener.
The matchday starts with a re-match between Amur and Sibir. Two days ago, Vladimir Tkachyov scored the game-winning shootout after the game ended 3:3 in regulation to give Sibir its first win of the season over the Tigers. Earlier in the season, Amur posted a 2:0 win and today, the teams will meet again as both need to earn points and improve their record.
Then, Avtomobilist hosts Spartak. The Muscovites just had a nice win in the Capital derby against CSKA, when they rallied back from a 1:4 and 2:5 deficit to claim a 6:5 win with successful shootout attempts by imports Lucas Lockhart and Nathan Todd. However, it was just Spartak’s second win this season, with the Red-and-Whites losing three games in a row before defeating CSKA. The Motormen are in a different situation, but were just blanked by Traktor on Wednesday (0:2), when Evgeny Alikin’s 29 saves weren’t enough as Avtomobilist failed to score in a much-anticipated home game. However, the Yekaterinburg side won three games in a row earlier, and will want to return to victory.
After its win in Yekaterinburg, Traktor returns home for three games, starting with a clash with Neftekhimik. The Wolves have now three straight wins after a rocky start, that included a 3:4 home loss to Traktor, led by Vasily Glotov and Mikhail Grigorenko, both scoring a double. Goalie Chris Drieger just recorded his first KHL shutout as the Chelyabinsk side is gearing up to match last year’s success, when the team reached the Gagarin Cup finals.
The culmination of the match day in the Eastern Conference will be the first Green Derby of the season between Ak Bars and Salavat Yulaev. Both teams have been disappointing this season, with both sides recording a 1-3-1 record so far. Last year, the Green Derby series was tied 3-3, with all the games being won by visiting teams. That was certainly interesting, and Salavat Yulaev hopes to continue the series. The fans will expect fierce competition on the ice today, with both sides trying to get a win to rebound back after a disappointing start of the 2025-2026 campaign.
The action then moves to the Western Conference for a final game, with SKA hosting Dinamo Minsk. The St. Petersburg side has just celebrated a strong 6:1 home win against Lada, with Joseph Blandisi netting his first KHL goal and Artemy Pleshkov stopping 36 shots. After losing to Avangard on Monday, the Belarusians play the last game of their road trip to start the 2025-2026 campaign. After today’s game in St. Petersburg, the Bison will have their home opener next Monday against Barys.
12:15: Amur (2-1-2) vs Sibir (2-2-0)
About the game
Amur is in the middle of a five-game home series and lost to Sibir on Wednesday (3:4 SO).
Sibir ends a three-game road trip and won against Amur on Wednesday.
The teams traded wins this season (2:0, 3:4 SO).
Amur’s forward Oleg Li is on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (4+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Amur: Evgeny Svechnikov.
Sibir: Andrei Churkin, David Farrance.
Milestone alert
Sibir’s forward Vladislav Kara lines up for his 300th KHL game.
17:00: Avtomobilist (3-2-0) vs Spartak (2-2-1)
About the game
Avtomobilist enters the third game of a four-match home series and lost to Traktor on Wednesday (0:2).
Spartak enters the second game of a four-match road trip following a win over CSKA on Tuesday (6:5 SO).
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Maxim Osipov, Nikita Tryamkin, Curtis Valk, Sergei Zborovsky.
Spartak: Dmitry Vishnevsky.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s forward Alexander Sharov may score his 300th career point (currently at 297), while forward Alexei Byvaltsev may reach 250 (currently at 249).
Spartak’s forward Nikita Korostelyov may score his 100th KHL goal (currently at 99).
Spartak’s goalie Artyom Zagidulin may celebrate his 50th KHL win.
Spartak’s goalie Dmitry Nikolayev may record his 10th league shutout.
17:00: Traktor (3-1-2) vs Neftekhimik (3-2-0)
About the game
Traktor, who defeated Neftekhimik earlier in the season (4:3), starts a three-game home series on a two-game winning streak.
Neftekhimik is in the middle of a three-game road trip and won its previous three matches.
Traktor’s goalie Chris Driedger is on a 70:21 shutout streak.
Neftekhimik’s forward Evgeny Mityakin enters today’s game on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points in that span.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Nikita Khoruzhev, Maxim Sushko.
Milestone alert
Traktor’s defenseman Grigory Dronov may record his 100th assist in the league (currently at 99).
19:00: Ak Bars (1-3-1) vs Salavat Yulaev (1-3-1)
About the game
Ak Bars enters the fourth game of a five-match home series on a three-game losing streak.
Salavat Yulaev enters the third game of a four-match road trip also on a three-game losing streak.
Ak Bars’ forward Grigory Denisenko is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Alexei Pimenov.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ defenseman Ilya Karpukhin may reach 100 career points (currently at 98).
19:30: SKA (2-1-1) vs Dinamo Minsk (2-1-1)
About the game
SKA ends a three-game home series on a two-game winning streak.
Dinamo Minsk ends a five-game road trip after losing to Avangard on Monday (4:5 SO).
SKA’s forward Marat Khairullin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that span.
SKA’s forward Matvei Korotky is also on a three-game scoring streak, but with 4 (1+3) points.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Sam Anas is on a four-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points.
Dinamo Mins’s forward Vitaly Pinchuk is on an eight-game scoring streak, with 10 (2+8) points.
Injury list
SKA: Andrei Pedan, Nikita Zaitsev, Ivan Zinchenko.
Milestone alert
SKA’s forward Sergei Plotnikov may reach 550 points in the league (currently at 548).
