Neftekhimik and Dragons aim to extend winning runs
Neftekhimik seeks to rebound after a loss that snapped their four-game win streak as they continue their home series against Avtomobilist, who sit just below them in the Eastern Conference standings. Later, Shanghai Dragons host Traktor in a clash of form, with Dragons on a hot streak and Traktor aiming to end a two-game skid. Both games highlight key battles in the season.
After losing to Lada and interrupting a four-game winning streak, Neftekhimik continues its home stand with a game against Avtomobilist. The Wolves had a good start to the season and are currently the third seed in the Eastern Conference’s standings. Right below Neftekhimik in the table is Avtomobilist. The two sides will be at their third meeting this season, with the Wolves claiming both games (4:1, 5:2), with the most recent clash on Sept. 24, with Neftekhimik grabbing a home win with doubles coming from Evgeny Mityakin and Luka Profaca. The Motormen enter today’s game on a two-match winning streak after defeating Amur and Ak Bars, and it will be interesting to see who will prevail between two teams in good shape.
14:00: Neftekhimik (7-4-0, 3rd E) vs Avtomobilist (6-4-1, 4th E)
About the game
Neftekhimik, who defeated Avtomobilist twice this season (4:1, 5:2), enters the second game of a five-match home series following a loss to Lada on Thursday (1:4).
Avtomobilist starts a two-game road trip following two straight victories.
Neftekhimik’s forward Andrei Belozyorov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (2+5) points over that stretch.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Alexander Dergachyov, Nikita Popugayev, Maxim Sushko.
Avtomobilist: Stephane Da Costa, Brooks Macek, Maxim Osipov, Nikita Tryamkin, Curtis Valk, Sergei Zborovsky.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s forward Alexander Sharov may reach 300 KHL points (currently at 298).
In the second game of the day, the Shanghai Dragons face Traktor. Once again, both teams are in good shape – the Dragons have three wins in their last five matches, plus an OT loss to Dynamo Moscow, while Traktor remains a solid team in the Eastern Conference despite two consecutive losses to Moscow-based teams, to Dynamo (2:3 SO) and Spartak (3:6), respectively. In today’s game, the Chelyabinsk side will be looking to halt its skid, while the Shanghai Dragons will try to cement their good positioning in the Western Conference’s table.
17:00: Shanghai Dragons (5-2-2, 4th W) vs Traktor (5-3-3, 5th E)
About the game
The Shanghai Dragons play their lone home game of the series after two straight wins.
Traktor enters the third game of a four-match road trip on a two-game losing streak.
Traktor’s forward Joshua Leivo is on a five-game scoring streak, with 8 (3+5) points over that span.
Milestone alert
Traktor’s head coach Benoit Groulx plays his 100th game in the KHL.
Traktor’s forward Andrei Svetlakov may reach 250 points in the league (currently at 249).
