Neftekhimik hosts CSKA, Spartak faces Severstal
It’s another light KHL matchday, with two games on tap, one for each conference, with Neftekhimik battling with CSKA and Spartak welcoming Severstal.
In Nizhnekamsk, the Wolves will be looking for a return to victory after losing to Ak Bars on home ice on Monday following a three-win streak. With only two goals scored in the last two matches, Neftekhimik will want to sharpen up its offense to pose more of a threat to CSKA, who starts a short road trip after two consecutive shutout wins, over Sibir (4:0) and Severstal (2:0). Goalie Dmitry Gamzin has two consecutive shutouts, with 58 total saves. However, the Muscovites are still on a disappointing eighth place in a very competitive, and tight, Western Conference. The Wolves are instead in sixth place in the East.
19:00: Neftekhimik (14-11-1, 6th E) vs CSKA (12-11-2, 8th W)
About the game
Neftekhimik ends a three-game home series following a loss to Ak Bars on Monday (1:4).
CSKA starts a four-game road trip on a two-match winning streak.
CSKA’s goalie Dmitry Gamzin is on a 119:56 shutout streak.
CSKA’s forward Daniel Sprong is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that stretch.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Alexander Dergachyov, Nikita Popugayev.
CSKA: Ivan Drozdov, Yegor Fateyev, Danila Moiseyev, Dmitry Samorukov, Colby Williams.
In Moscow, Spartak faces Severstal in a key matchup for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. Both teams lost their previous game, with the Red-and-Whites falling to Lokomotiv (3:6) and the Steelers losing to CSKA (0:2), confirming their troublesome moment with just two wins in the last five matches. However, Severstal has the edge in the standings, with 32 points against 29. The two sides already met this season, with the Steelers claiming a 2:1 victory. After today’s match, Severstal will return to Cherepovets, where the team will be based for the next eight games.
19:30: Spartak (13-9-3, 6th W) vs Severstal (16-9-0, 4th W)
About the game
Spartak ends a three-game road trip and lost to Lokomotiv on Wednesday (3:6).
Severstal, who defeated Spartak earlier in the season (2:1), ends a four-game road trip following a loss to CSKA on Monday (0:2).
Injury list
Spartak: Nikita Buruyanov, Pavel Poryadin, German Rubtsov, Ivan Vorobyov.
Severstal: Vladislav Tsitsyura.
Milestone alert
Spartak’s forward Adam Ruzicka lines up for his 100th league appearance. He has 40 goals and 37 assists in his KHL career.
