SKA and Avangard set for high-stakes clash in peak form
The KHL matchday kicks off with Admiral taking on CSKA, with the Sailors seeking revenge after a SO defeat to Dynamo Moscow, while CSKA tries to end a three-game skid. Spartak visits a hot Magnitka before the classic SKA-Avangard rivalry closes the day, both teams finding regular-season rhythm after strong preseason clashes.
The KHL matchday starts with a showdown between Admiral and CSKA. The two sides already met this year, on Sept. 10, when a tally by Denis Guryanov gave the Muscovites a 1:0 win at home, with Spencer Martin recording his first KHL shutout. Today, the Sailors will have a good chance to avenge that defeat, but have just lost to Dynamo Moscow on Saturday, albeit in extra time (3:4 SO). CSKA will try to rebound back after three straight losses, to Spartak (5:6 SO), Lokomotiv (1:5), and Metallurg (4:5), respectively. It will be Admiral’s last home game of the series, with the team traveling for the next four matches.
After defeating CSKA, Magnitka faces another Moscow club when Spartak pays a visit to Magnitogorsk. The Red-and-Whites have two wins in their last three matches, with wins coming in games against CSKA (6:5 SO) and Traktor (5:3), with an extra time loss to Avtomobilist (5:4 SO). Spartak is in fine shape, and after today’s game the team will travel back to Moscow. Metallurg is also in good shape, with four consecutive wins.
The KHL Tuesday will end with a showdown between SKA and Avangard. This matchup has long held a special status. Although the teams have only played 33 games against each other—not nearly as many as some legendary rivalries—the intensity is always high as both clubs strive to prove their superiority. In the 2024-2025 season, each team won at home: SKA took a 4:1 victory in Saint Petersburg, and Avangard secured a 2:1 win in Omsk. However, these games took place under different head coaches. The current SKA team, coached by Igor Larionov, and Avangard, led by Guy Boucher, met last September on the final day of the preseason, with the Hawks coming away with a 5:3 win. The question now is: what will happen this time as both teams found some regular-season good rhythm?
12:30: Admiral (3-1-2) vs CSKA (3-3-1)
About the game
Admiral ends a four-game home series following a loss to Dynamo Moscow on Saturday (3:4 SO).
CSKA, who defeated Admiral earlier this season (1:0), is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost its previous three straight matches.
CSKA’s forward Daniel Sprong is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points over that span.
CSKA’s forward Denis Guryanov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury list
CSKA: Yegor Fateyev, Danila Moiseyev, Maxim Sorkin.
Milestone alert
Admiral’s forward Igor Geraskin lines up for his 500th league appearance.
17:00: Metallurg (5-0-2) vs Spartak (3-2-2)
About the game
Metallurg is in the middle of a five-game home series and won its previous four matches.
Spartak ends a four-game road trip after a win over Traktor on Sunday (5:3).
Metallurg’s forward Dmitry Silantyev is on a five-game scoring streak, with 9 (4+5) points over that span.
Metallurg’s forward Nikita Mikhailis is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points.
Spartak’s forward German Rubtsov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that stretch.
Spartak’s forwards Mikhail Maltsev and Adam Ruzicka had at least an assist in each of their previous three matches, totaling five helpers.
Spartak’s defenseman Daniil Orlov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
Spartak’s forward Pavel Poryadin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Injury list
Spartak: Dmitry Vishnevsky.
Disqualifications
Spartak’s forward Nikita Kholodilin serves a one-game ban.
Milestone alert
Spartak’s forward Nikita Korostelyov is still seeking his 100th KHL tally (currently at 99).
Spartak’s forward Dmitry Nikolayev may record his 10th KHL shutout.
19:30: SKA (4-1-1) vs Avangard (5-1-0)
About the game
SKA plays the lone home game of the series and won its previous four matches.
Avangard enters the second game of a four-match road trip on a five-game winning streak.
SKA’s goalie Yegor Zavragin is on a 120:07 shutout streak.
SKA’s defenseman Brennan Menell is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points.
SKA’s defenseman Sergei Sapego had an assist in each of his previous three games.
Avangard’s forward Konstantin Okulov is on a ten-game scoring streak, with 12 (5+7) points over that span.
Avangard’s forward Andrew Poturalski is on a four-game scoring streak, with 9 (2+7) points.
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov is also on a four-game scoring streak, but with 4 (2+2) points.
Injury list
SKA: Andrei Pedan, Vladislav Romanov, Nikita Zaitsev, Ivan Zinchenko.
Avangard: Nail Yakupov.
Milestone alert
Today’s game will be the 1,000th match in the top-flight Russian championship for head referee Alexei Belov.
SKA’s goalie Yegor Zavragin may reach 50 league appearances.
SKA’s forward Sergei Plotnikov may score his 550th KHL point (currently at 548).
SKA’s forward Valentin Zykov may reach 100 points in the KHL (currently at 99).
Avangard’s forward Konstantin Okulov may reach 450 career points (currently at 449).
Avangard’s goalie Nikita Serebryakov may record his 20th KHL shutout.
