Lokomotiv aims for fifth straight win as Avtomobilist seeks to end slump in Yaroslavl showdown
A light Friday in the KHL features three matchups: it all kicks off in Togliatti, where Lada hosts the Shanghai Dragons after both sides suffered narrow extra time defeats earlier in the week. Lokomotiv then looks to continue its winning streak at home against struggling Avtomobilist, while the evening closes as Dinamo Minsk faces Severstal, with the Belarusians seeking to extend their solid home record in front of another enthusiastic Minsk crowd.
The KHL matchday starts in Togliatti, with Lada hosting the Shanghai Dragons. The Togliatti side is still seeking its first win under its new head coach – the team was close enough on Tuesday in a home game against HC Sochi, but lost 4:5 after shootouts despite a double by Riley Sawchuk and Joshua Lawrence’s first KHL tally. The Dragons also had their latest game on Tuesday, and they also suffered from an extra time loss, with Dynamo Moscow taking a 3:2 OT home victory despite Nate Sucese’s first goal in the league. The home side will try hard to finally get a win after six consecutive losses, but the Shanghai Dragons will be on the lookout for a win too. Lada has recently signed two-time Gagarin Cup champion Viktor Antipin to strengthen its defense – the blueliner may have his debut in today’s game.
In Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv welcomes Avtomobilist. The Railwaymen are one of the hottest teams in the league as they won their last four matches, with the most recent victory being a 2:1 win over Severstal, when Yegor Surin netted the game-winner late in the third period. The Motormen are instead in a slump, suffering two consecutive losses to Neftekhimik on Sunday at home (1:4) and on Wednesday on the road (2:5), respectively. Today, they will have a chance to bounce back and return to victory, but doing so in Yaroslavl will be very hard. After today’s game, Avtomobilist will fly back to Yekaterinburg.
Closing a light KHL Friday is Dinamo Minsk facing Severstal. The Belarusians won their first two home games of the season, over Barys (1:0 OT) and Torpedo (3:2), both in front of sell-out crowds. The Steelers lost to Lokomotiv (1:2) on Wednesday after two consecutive losses. Today’s game in Minsk will be an exciting one, possibly in front of a big crowd and with both sides able to play an open, offensive game with plenty of scoring chances.
18:00: Lada (1-5-1) vs Shanghai Dragons (3-2-2)
About the game
Lada ends a five-game home series on a six-match losing streak.
The Shanghai Dragons are in the middle of a three-game road trip started with a loss to Dynamo Moscow on Wednesday (2:3 OT).
Injury list
Lada: Nikita Mikhailov, Alexei Ozhgikhin.
Disqualifications
Lada’s forward Andrei Altybarmakyan serves the fifth and last game of a five-match ban.
Milestone alert
Lada’s defenseman Artyom Zemchyonok lines up for his 600th league appearance.
19:00: Lokomotiv (6-1-1) vs Avtomobilist (4-4-0)
About the game
Lokomotiv ends a three-game home series and won its previous four matches.
Avtomobilist ends a two-game road trip on a two-match losing streak.
Lokomotiv’s forward Yegor Surin is on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (4+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Lokomotiv: Daniil Tesanov.
Avtomobilist: Brooks Macek, Maxim Osipov, Nikita Tryamkin, Curtis Valk, Sergei Zborovsky.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s defenseman Andrei Sergeyev may score his 300th KHL point (currently at 297).
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk may record his 10th league shutout.
Avtomobilist’s forward Alexander Sharov may reach 300 career points (currently at 297).
Avtomobilist’s forward Stephane Da Costa may record his 300th league assist (currently at 298).
19:10: Dinamo Minsk (4-1-2) vs Severstal (4-4-0)
About the game
Dinamo Minsk enters the third game of a six-match home series on a two-game winning streak.
Severstal enters the third game of a four-match road trip following a loss to Lokomotiv on Wednesday (1:2).
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Alex Limoges is on a five-game scoring streak, with 9 (5+4) points over that span.
Injury list
Severstal: Thomas Gregoire, Artyom Shchuchinov, Konstantin Shostak.
