Severstal and Shanghai Dragons looking to extend winning streaks
Today’s KHL matchday features four battles across Russia and Kazakhstan, beginning with Neftekhimik facing Salavat Yulaev in Nizhnekamsk, both desperate to end three-game losing streaks. In Astana, Barys look to extend their run against Avangard, while Shanghai Dragons host Ak Bars in an East-West confrontation. Severstal rounds off the schedule at home against Lada, seeking their fifth consecutive win.
The match day starts in Nizhnekamsk, with both Neftekhimik an Salavat Yulaev urging a return to victory after three straight losses. The Wolves lost to Ak Bars (2:3), Avtomobilist (3:6), and Lada (1:2), while Salavat Yulaev collected defeats against Barys, HC Sochi (both 1:2), and Lokomotiv (3:4 OT). Neftekhimik has now 31 points and is tied with Traktor in fifth place, while Salavat Yulaev sits in the tenth spot, at three points from the playoffs line. It will be the third meeting between the two sides this season, with the teams trading wins. Both teams will be pushing for a win, but for the Ufa team a win will have a more critical significance. After today’s match, Salavat Yulaev will return to Bashkortostan for a home game against Barys before flying to another road trip.
14:00: Neftekhimik (15-14-1, 5th E) vs Salavat Yulaev (10-15-3, 10th E)
About the game
Neftekhimik enters the second game of an eight-match home series following three straight losses.
Salavat Yulaev wraps up a four-game road trip also on a three-match losing streak.
The teams traded wins earlier in the season (1:2, 1:0).
Neftekhimik’s forward Evgeny Mityakhin scored a goal in each of his previous three games.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Anton Berlyov, Dennis Yan, Nikita Zorkin.
In Kazakhstan, Barys will try to stretch its winning streak in a tough home game against Avangard. The Kazakhs won their last three games, a streak ignited by a win in Yaroslavl (4:0) then went on with an extra time win in Sochi (2:1 OT) and a home victory over Salavat Yulaev (2:1). Today’s opposition, Avangard, is in great shape. The Hawks took off with a home win over Traktor (3:2), then defeated Torpedo (6:2) and Lada (3:0) – the last two matches on the road. Avangard is currently the third seed in the East, while Barys is in eighth place, just above the playoff line. However, Barys has already defeated Avangard this season, so the Hawks should be prepared to a fierce opposition, who will also be in front of their home fans.
15:00: Barys (11-13-5, 8th E) vs Avangard (17-7-3, 3rd E)
About the game
Barys ends a two-game home series on a three-match winning streak.
Avangard is in the middle of a five-game road trip and has also won its previous three matches.
The teams traded wins earlier in the season (6:2, 3:4).
Barys’ goalie Adam Scheel is on a 110:22 shutout streak.
Avangard’s goalie Maxim Mishurov is on a 67:59 shutout streak.
Avangard’s forward Andrew Poturalski had a tally in each of his previous three games.
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov dished out a helper in each of his previous three matches.
Avangard’s forward Michael McLeod is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Barys: Nikita Boyarkin, Kirill Savitsky, Tyler Whoterspoon.
Milestone alert
Barys’ head coach Mikhail Kravets may celebrate his 200th KHL win.
Avangard’s goalie Maxim Mishurov may line up for his 100th league appearance.
Avangard’s goalie Nikita Serebryakov may record his 20th career shutout.
The action then moves to the Western Conference for a couple of matches. In St. Petersburg, the Shanghai Dragons face Ak Bars. The Dragons had a rocky period, but now have three wins in the last four matches and will be very motivated in today’s game against Kazan. Ak Bars bounced back with a win over Neftekhimik (3:2) after two straight home losses, to CSKA (1:4) and Dinamo Minsk (3:7), respectively. The Dragons are now in sixth place in the Western Conference, while Ak Bars is the second seed in the East. It will be the first clash this season between the two games.
17:00: Shanghai Dragons (13-8-6, 6th W) vs Ak Bars (18-9-2, 2nd E)
About the game
The Shanghai Dragons play the lone home game of the series on a two-match winning streak.
Ak Bars is in the middle of a three-game road trip and defeated Neftekhimik on Friday (3:2).
Shanghai Dragons’ forward Nick Merkley is on a four-game scoring streak, with 7 (5+2) points over that span.
Ak Bars’ forward Vladimir Alistrov had an assist in each of his previous three games.
Injury list
Shanghai Dragons: Jake Bischoff, Parker Foo, Jeremy Groleau.
Ak Bars: Albert Yarullin.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Chmelevsky may score his 100th KHL tally (currently at 99).
In Cherepovets, Severstal will try to win yet another game in a home match against Lada. The Steelers have four straight wins so far, and they are in fourth place in the West, just one point behind the leading group of Lokomotiv, Dinamo Minsk, and Torpedo. Lada lost its last game, to Avangard (0:3), but has three wins in its last five matches. However, the Togliatti side lies in tenth place in the West, with an eight-point gap to the playoff line – a difficult situation.
17:00: Severstal (20-9-0, 4th W) vs Lada (9-16-3, 10th W)
About the game
Severstal enters the fourth game of an eight-match home series on a four-game winning streak.
Lada starts a four-game road trip following a loss to Avangard on Tuesday (0:3).
Severstal’s forward Danil Aimurzin is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points over that span.
Injury list
Severstal: Vladislav Tsitsyura.
Lada: Alexei Ozhgikhin.
