Ak Bars eyes tenth straight win against Admiral, three games today
After yesterday’s Western match day, today three Eastern Conference’s matches enlighten an interesting KHL Monday. In Omsk, Avangard faces Metallurg in a top game, then Neftekhimik welcomes Barys and Ak Bars hosts Admiral seeking its tenth straight victory.
The first game of the day will be a showdown between Avangard and Metallurg in Omsk. The teams have already clashed this season, with the Hawks claiming a commanding 5:1 win in Magnitogorsk, with a double by Maxime Lajoie from the blue line – both on the man advantage. Metallurg rebounded quickly from the defeat, winning three games in a row, over Salavat Yulaev (6:4), Neftekhimik (9:6), and Sibir (2:1 OT), but then lost in the rematch against the Wolves (3:5). Despite the loss, Magnitka remains the top team in the Eastern Conference, with 30 points. The Omsk side lost two games out of the last three, with losses to Severstal (3:4 OT on Thursday) and Barys (2:6), and a win over Avtomobilist (3:2 OT), and lags five points behind Metallurg.
16:30: Avangard (12-5-1, 4th E) vs Metallurg (14-3-2, 1st E)
About the game
Avangard, who defeated Metallurg earlier in the season (5:1), is in the middle of a five-game home series and lost to Severstal on Thursday (3:4 OT).
Metallurg enters the third game of a four-match road trip and lost to Neftekhimik also on Thursday (3:5).
Avangard’s forward Nikolai Prokhorkin is on a seven-game scoring streak, with 8 (5+3) points over that span.
Avangard’s forward Konstantin Okulov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 9 (2+7) points.
Metallurg’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 8 (2+6) points over that stretch.
Metallurg’s forward Roman Kantserov is also on a three-game scoring streak, but with 6 (3+3) points.
Injury list
Avangard: Nail Yakupov.
Metallurg: Andrei Kozlov.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s goalie Nikita Serebryakov may celebrate his 20th KHL shutout.
Then, in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik faces Barys as the Eastern sides collide for the first time this season. Both teams enter today’s game in good shape, especially the Kazakhs, with two wins in their last three games, over Amur (3:1) and Avangard (6:2), and an extra time loss to Ak Bars (2:3 SO). The Wolves have instead two wins in the last three games, but have a little edge in the Eastern Conference’s standings, being one spot and two points above Barys. In KHL history, the Kazakhs have 24 wins against Neftekhimik’s 18 in head-to-head games.
19:00: Neftekhimik (10-9-1, 6th E) vs Barys (7-7-5, 7th E)
About the game
Neftekhimik ends a three-game home series following a loss to Salavat Yulaev on Saturday (1:2).
Barys starts a three-game road trip fresh off a win over Amur on Friday (3:1).
Neftekhimik’s forward Damir Zhafyarov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (1+6) points over that span.
Neftekhimik’s forward Andrei Belozyorov is on a three-game scoring streak instead, with 4 (2+2) points.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Alexander Dergachyov, Nikita Popugayev.
Barys: Alikhan Asetov, Nikita Boyarkin, Emil Galimov, Maxim Mukhametov.
Milestone alert
Neftekhimik’s forward Danil Yurtaikin may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 99).
In the final game of the day, Ak Bars hosts Admiral for a rematch of Saturdays’ clash, won by the hosts. The two teams are in opposite situations. Ak Bars is on a red-hot streak, winning nine straight games and seeking its tenth win in a row, while Admiral lost its previous three matches, to Spartak (3:4 SO), Severstal (1:4), and Ak Bars (3:5). The current situation is well reflected in the standings, with Ak Bars in second place and Admiral slipping down to the tenth spot in the Eastern Conference’s table. Moreover, Ak Bars won its previous twelve home games against Admiral within the Russian championship.
19:00: Ak Bars (13-5-1, 2nd E) vs Admiral (6-6-3, 10th E)
About the game
Ak Bars, who defeated Admiral on Saturday (5:3), is in the middle of a five-game home series and won its previous nine straight matches.
Admiral enters the second game of a five-match road trip on a three-game losing streak.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Albert Yarullin.
Admiral: Mario Grman, Alexander Shepelev.
Milestone alert
Admiral is still seeking its 300th KHL win.
