Shanghai Dragons chase extended winning streak in Moscow
Five games kick off today’s KHL action, led by the third meeting of the season between Lada and HC Sochi. The day also features Neftekhimik hosting Amur, Ak Bars facing Barys, Torpedo against Metallurg, and the evening concluding with Spartak battling the Shanghai Dragons. Each match offers teams a chance to improve their standings in their respective conferences in this intensely competitive KHL day.
The KHL match day starts with a third showdown this season between Lada and HC Sochi. So far, HC Sochi claimed both games (5:4 SO, 4:0). The last duel was a week ago, on Sept. 30, with the Black Sea franchise shutting out Lada as Pavel Khomchenko stopped 26 shots for his ninth KHL shutout. That game marked HC Sochi’s eighth straight win over Lada. However, the Togliatti side saw some signs of progress, with a 4:1 win in Nizhnekamsk and an OT loss to Admiral (1:2 OT) after nine straight defeats. HC Sochi, instead, lost twice in a row after its 4:0 win over Lada. The two teams are at the bottom of the Western Conference’s standings all will be seeking points to increase their record – maybe Lada will be able to revert the trend in games against the Black Sea franchise.
18:00: Lada (2-8-2, 11th W) vs HC Sochi (4-6-1, 10th W)
About the game
Lada is in the middle of a three-game home series and lost to Admiral on Sunday (1:2 OT).
HC Sochi, who defeated Lada twice this season (5:4 SO, 4:0), is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost its previous couple of matches.
HC Sochi’s defenseman Noel Hoefenmayer is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Lada: Danila Dyadenkin, Alexei Ozhgikhin.
HC Sochi: Yegor Babenko, Danil Mokrushev, Igor Shvyryov.
Milestone alert
Lada’s forward Andrei Altybarmakyan may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 98).
The action continues in Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik faces Amur. After a strong start to the season, the Wolves lost some ground and suffered two consecutive defeats, by the hand of Lada (1:4) and Avtomobilist (2:5) – both on home ice. The Tigers aren’t in a good position as well, with three consecutive losses, two against Ak Bars (1:3, 1:5), and one to Avtomobilist (1:3). This means that today one of the teams will have a chance to build on today’s win and perhaps start a new winning streak.
19:00: Neftekhimik (7-5-0, 4th E) vs Amur (3-6-2, 10th E)
About the game
Neftekhimik is in the middle of a five-game home series following two straight losses.
Amur enters the fourth game of a five-match road trip on a three-game losing streak.
Neftekhimik’s forward Evgeny Mityakin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Alexander Dergachyov, Nikita Popugayev, Maxim Sushko.
Amur: Evgeny Svechnikov.
Milestone alert
Neftekhimik’s forward Danil Yurtaikin may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 98).
In Kazan, Ak Bars will face Barys for the second time this season. The Kazan side has four wins in its last five matches, including a 2:1 win over Barys on Sept. 25, its tenth straight win over the Kazakhs. After that, Ak Bars defeated Metallurg (4:3 after being down by three), and twice Amur (5:1, 3:1), with a loss in Yekaterinburg (1:4). After losing to Ak Bars, Barys bounced back with wins over Sibir (6:4) and Admiral (3:0), but then lost to Lokomotiv (1:5) and Sibir (0:1 SO). Only one point separates the two teams in the Eastern Conference’s table.
19:00: Ak Bars (6-5-1, 6th E) vs Barys (5-5-2, 8th E)
About the game
Ak Bars, who defeated Barys earlier in the season (2:1), ends a three-game home series following two straight wins.
Barys is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost its previous couple of matches.
Barys’ goalie Andrei Shutov is on a 66:57 shutout streak.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Albert Yarullin.
Barys: Alikhan Asetov, Nikita Boyarkin, Tyce Thompson.
Milestone alert
Barys’ defenseman Adil Beketayev lines up for his 200th career appearance.
The action moves to the Western Conference for the closing two games of the match day. Torpedo seeks a return to victory after two straight losses to Severstal (3:5) and Dynamo Moscow (1:4), while Metallurg will try to stretch its winning streak after three straight wins, over Sibir (4:3), CSKA (3:1), and Spartak (6:2), respectively. Magnitka’s excellent shape is reflected in its leadership in the Eastern Conference’s standings, while Torpedo is also doing well in the table, with its second place in the West. The two sides will meet again on Friday, in Magnitogorsk this time, where perhaps Evgeny Kuznetsov will have his first game for Magnitka.
19:00: Torpedo (8-4-1, 2nd W) vs Metallurg (9-1-2, 1st E)
About the game
Torpedo ends a three-game home series following two straight losses.
Metallurg ends a three-game road trip on a three-match winning streak.
Metallurg’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov had at least an assist in each of his previous seven games, totaling eight helpers.
The match day ends with an exciting showdown between Spartak and the Shanghai Dragons. The teams are at their second clash this season, with the Dragons claiming a 3:1 win in Moscow on Sept. 28. After that game, the Dragons defeated Traktor at home (5:4 OT), while Spartak played three more games, with two wins, over Traktor (6:3) and SKA (3:1), and a loss to Metallurg (2:6). Only one point separates the two teams in the Western Conference’s table, but the Dragons seem to be in slightly better shape with four wins in their last five matches.
19:30: Spartak (5-4-3, 6th W) vs Shanghai Dragons (6-2-2, 4th W)
About the game
Spartak enters the fifth game of a six-match home series following a loss to Metallurg on on Sunday (2:6).
The Shanghai Dragons, who defeated Spartak earlier this season (3:1), play their lone road game of the series and won their last three matches.
Spartak’s forward Nikita Korostelyov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points over that span.
Spartak’s forward Pavel Poryadin is also on a three-game scoring streak, but with 6 (4+2) points.
Spartak’s defenseman Daniil Orlov had an assist in each of his previous three matches.
Shanghai Dragons’ forward Borna Rendulic is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that stretch.
Injury list
Spartak: Dmitry Vishnevsky.
Milestone alert
Spartak’s goalie Dmitry Nikolayev may reach 10 KHL shutouts.
