Two games in Moscow on a light KHL Sunday

Spartak faces Shanghai Dragons, then CSKA entertains Lada. Only two games are scheduled for today, but both promise excitement and fierce battles.

The match day starts with Spartak taking on the Shanghai Dragons. After a difficult period, the Chinese franchise geared up nicely and won two games in the last three matches, against Torpedo (1:0 OT) and Lada (4:1), respectively. The Red-and-Whites had four of their last five games going to extra time, with two wins. The Muscovites will thus try to improve their record as they start a six-game home series with today’s game. The Dragons, instead, will fly back to St. Petersburg after today’s match, to face Traktor, just to move again to Moscow to face Spartak again on Oct. 7.

In the second game of the match day – again in Moscow – CSKA welcomes Lada. The Togliatti side is struggling this season, and changing head coach didn’t help, with Lada only winning one game so far in the current campaign. CSKA is in a better place in the standings, but has only one win in its last five games, against Admiral on Tuesday. Most recently, the Muscovites suffered from a shutout loss to Amur, on Thursday (0:2). Today’s game may award the winning side a much-needed morale boost that can help increasing the season record and build from that.

14:00: Spartak (3-2-3) vs Shanghai Dragons (4-2-2)

About the game

Spartak starts a six-game home series following a loss to Metallurg on Tuesday (2:3 OT).

The Shanghai Dragons end a three-game road trip following a win over Lada on Friday (4:1).

Injury list

Spartak: Dmitry Vishnevsky.

Milestone alert

Spartak’s forward Nikita Korostelyov may net his 100th KHL tally.

Spartak’s goalie Dmitry Nikolayev may reach 10 league shutouts.

17:00: CSKA (4-4-1) vs Lada (1-6-1)

About the game

CSKA starts a three-game road trip following a loss to Amur on Thursday (0:2).

Lada starts a three-game road trip on a seven-match losing streak.

Injury list

CSKA: Yegor Fateyev, Danila Moiseyev, Maxim Sorkin.

Lada: Nikita Mikhailov, Alexei Ozhgikhin.

Milestone alert

CSKA’s forward Nikolai Kovalenko may record his 100th KHL assist (currently at 99).