Momentum battle as Ak Bars tries to halt Avangard’s winning streak
The Sunday matchday features five thrilling KHL games across both conferences. It kicks off with Traktor aiming to extend their three-game winning streak against Spartak, followed by Metallurg hosting CSKA in a key clash. In Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist faces Neftekhimik, while Lada welcomes SKA in the lone Western Conference game. The day closes with a classic Eastern showdown between Ak Bars and Avangard, promising high-intensity hockey action across the board.
The matchday starts with a showdown between Traktor and Spartak. The Chelyabinsk side is on a three-win run and will try to build up on the streak when the Red-and-Whites try to bounce back after a shootout loss in Yekaterinburg. Recently, Traktor defeated HC Sochi (4:3 OT), Avtomobilist (2:0), and Neftekhimik (3:2).
In the second game in the Urals, Metallurg hosts CSKA. Both teams had a strong start, but CSKA stumbled on Spartak and Lokomotiv and had two straight losses. Especially the one against the Railwaymen was a reality call for the Muscovites, who suffered from a heavy 1:5 defeat at home. One of the few players who had decent numbers for CSKA despite the losses is newcomer Daniel Sprong, currently on a three-game scoring streak. Magnitka is in fine shape, with three consecutive wins and no regulation losses so far.
The Sunday action continues in Yekaterinburg, with Avtomobilist taking on Neftekhimik. The Motormen end a four-game home series after an extra time win over Spartak on Friday (5:4 SO), with Reid Boucher scoring a goal in regulation and netting the winning attempt in the postgame shootout. Moreover, Frenchman Stephane Da Costa posted a hat-trick of assists in the game. However, they will have five players sitting on the injury list for today’s clash with Neftekhimik. The Wolves will end a three-game road trip, with the team recording one win (2:1 in Kazan) and one loss (2:3 to Traktor) – they will try to return to victory today.
In the only Western Conference game of the day, Lada faces SKA. After winning just once in five games, the Togliatti side parted ways with head coach Boris Mironov and hired Pavel Desyatkov. Many times, a new coach gives the team the necessary boost to get an early win – will this be the case today against SKA? The two sides met less than a week ago, with the St. Petersburg side claiming a dominant 6:1 home win. Other than that game, SKA also defeated Traktor (5:2) and Dinamo Minsk (3:2) – the team is on a three-game winning streak and will be on the lookout for a fourth consecutive victory as it never suffered a loss against today’s opposition at the KHL level.
Closing the matchday is a classical Eastern showdown between Ak Bars and Avangard. The teams are in very different situations, yet the momentum may help the Kazan side, considering that they just won the first Green Derby of the season against Salavat Yulaev (3:1) and that their only other win this year was against Avangard back on Sept. 08 (2:1). However, after that defeat, the Hawks won four times in a row as they confirm being in excellent shape. Today’s game will be yet another exciting matchup between two Eastern Conference titans.
14:00: Traktor (4-1-2) vs Spartak (2-2-2)
About the game
Traktor is in the middle of a three-game home series and won its previous three matches.
Spartak enters the third game of a four-match road trip following a loss to Avtomobilist on Friday (4:5 SO).
Spartak’s forward Nikita Korostelyov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 7 (4+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Spartak: Dmitry Vishnevsky.
Milestone alert
Traktor’s defenseman Grigory Dronov may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
Spartak’s forward Nikita Korostelyov may score his 100th league tally (currently at 99).
Spartak’s goalie Artyom Zagidulin may celebrate his 50th win in the league.
Spartak’s goalie Dmitry Nikolayev may record his 10th career shutout.
14:30: Metallurg (4-0-2) vs CSKA (3-2-1)
About the game
Metallurg enters the second game of a five-match home series on a three-match winning streak.
CSKA starts a three-game road trip following two straight losses.
Metallurg’s forward Dmitry Silantyev is on a four-game scoring streak, with 8 (3+5) points over that span.
Metallurg’s forward Roman Kantserov is also on a four-game scoring streak, but with 5 (2+3) points.
Metallurg’s forward Nikita Mikhailis is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Metallurg’s forward Derek Barach is on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (5+1) points.
CSKA’s forward Daniel Sprong is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points over that stretch.
Injury list
CSKA: Yegor Fateyev, Danila Moiseyev, Maxim Sorkin.
15:00: Avtomobilist (4-2-0) vs Neftekhimik (3-3-0)
About the game
Avtomobilist ends a four-game home series following a win over Spartak on Friday (5:4 SO).
Neftekhimik ends a three-game road trip after losing to Traktor also on Friday (2:3).
Neftekhimik’s forward Evgeny Mityakin is on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points over that span.
Neftekhimik’s forward Danil Yurtaikin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Brooks Macek, Maxim Osipov, Nikita Tryamkin, Curtis Valk, Sergei Zborovsky.
Neftekhimik: Nikita Khoruzhev, Maxim Sushko.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s forward Roman Gorbunov lines up for his 300th KHL appearance.
Avtomobilist’s forward Alexander Sharov may reach 300 points in the KHL (currently at 297).
Avtomobilist’s forward Stephane Da Costa may record his 300th assist in the league (currently at 298).
Neftekhimik’s forward Bulat Shafigullin may score his 100th career point (currently at 99).
16:00: Lada (1-4-0) vs SKA (3-1-1)
About the game
Lada is in the middle of a five-game home series and lost its previous four matches.
SKA, who defeated Lada earlier this season (6:1), plays the lone road game of the series following three straight victories.
SKA’s goalie Yegor Zavragin is on a 60:07 shutout streak.
SKA’s forward Marat Khairullin is on a four-game scoring streak, with 7 (1+6) points over that span.
SKA’s forward Valentin Zykov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
SKA’s defenseman Brennan Menell tallied a goal in each of his previous three games.
Injury list
Lada: Nikita Mikhailov, Alexei Ozhgikhin.
SKA: Andrei Pedan, Vladislav Romanov, Nikita Zaitsev, Ivan Zinchenko.
Milestone alert
Lada plays its 500th KHL game.
SKA’s forward Sergei Plotnikov lines up for his 950th league appearance and may celebrate the milestone with his 550th point in the league (currently at 548).
SKA’s forward Valentin Zykov may score his 100th KHL point (currently at 99).
16:30: Ak Bars (2-3-1) vs Avangard (4-1-0)
About the game
Ak Bars, who defeated Avangard earlier this season (2:1), ends a five-game home series following a win over Salavat Yulaev on Friday (3:1).
Avangard starts a four-game road trip on a four-match winning streak.
Avangard’s forward Konstantin Okulov is on a nine-game scoring streak, with 10 (3+7) points over that span.
Avangard’s forward Andrew Poturalski is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov is also on a three-game scoring streak, but with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury list
Avangard: Nail Yakupov.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ defenseman Ilya Karpukhin may record his 100th KHL assist (currently at 99).
Ak Bars’ head coach Anvar Gatiyatulin may celebrate his 250th KHL win.
Avangard’s goalie Nikita Serebryakov may reach 20 KHL shutouts.
Avangard’s head coach Guy Boucher reaches 50 games in the KHL.
Avangard’s forward Konstantin Okulov may score his 450th career point (currently at 447).
