Two games in the Far East, Lokomotiv hosts SKA
It’s an intriguing KHL matchday, with two early Far East games and an exciting showdown in the West. First, Amur faces Dinamo Minsk and Admiral hosts HC Sochi. Then, in Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv clashes with SKA in a classic matchup.
The match day starts in the Far East again, with Amur facing Dinamo Minsk. The Bison have just played their first game in their region trip with a solid 4:1 win in Vladivostok and today they will try to collect their second win this season over Amur. Dinamo Minsk won eight of its last nine matches and climbed high in the Western Conference standings, where it’s one of the top clubs. The hosts are currently in an opposite situation, with three straight losses. Amur only scored three goals in this span, including failing to beat Ilya Samsonov as the Tigers were toothless in a home game against HC Sochi (0:1). Despite the skid, Amur remains in good position for a finish in the playoff places, but the season is still long and a return to victory is mandatory.
12:15: Amur (12-15-4, 7th E) vs Dinamo Minsk (21-7-3, 2nd W)
About the game
Amur enters the second game of a four-match home series on a three-game losing streak.
Dinamo Minsk, who defeated Amur earlier in the season (6:2), is in the middle of a five-game road trip and won its last four matches.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Sam Anas is on an eight-game scoring streak, with 11 (5+6) points over that stretch.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Vitaly Pinchuk is also on an eight-game scoring streak, but with 10 (6+4) points.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Alex Limoges is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points.
Injury list
Amur: Roman Abrosimov.
Milestone alert
Amur’s forward Alex Galchenyuk may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 98).
Dinamo Minsk’s goalie Vasily Demchenko may record his 30th KHL shutout.
Then, in Vladivostok, Admiral hosts HC Sochi as the sides collide for the second time this season. The Sailors collected points in four consecutive matches before falling to Dinamo Minsk two days ago (1:4). Admiral thus remains in good positioning for the playoff race, tied with Amur in the Eastern Conference’s standings at 28 points. HC Sochi collected a win in Khabarovsk in its last outing, but remains at the foot of the West’s table, with an eleven-point gap to the top eight. For the Black Sea franchise, it was the second win in the last five matches.
12:30: Admiral (11-12-6, 8th E) vs HC Sochi (8-17-5, 11th W)
About the game
Admiral, who defeated HC Sochi earlier in the season (5:4), is in the middle of a five-game home series and lost to Dinamo Minsk on Sunday (1:4).
HC Sochi enters the third game of a four-match road trip following a win over Amur also on Sunday (1:0).
HC Sochi’s goalie Ilya Samsonov is on a 60:37 shutout streak.
Injury list
Admiral: Alexander Daryin, Ruslan Pedan.
HC Sochi: Rafael Bikmullin, Noel Hoefenmayer, Denis Vengryzhanovsky.
Milestone alert
HC Sochi’s goalie Pavel Khomchenko may reach 10 KHL shutouts.
The action then moves to the West Conference for a highly-anticipated game between Lokomotiv and SKA. It will be the fourth meeting between the two Western sides in the current campaign, with the Railwaymen sweeping the series so far. SKA will make a new attempt to defeat the reigning Gagarin Cup holders after a loss in Kazan (2:5), which was their first defeat in the last four games. The Railwaymen are also going through a difficult stretch, having lost four times in five games. Bob Hartley’s team has not scored since 24 November – during this time they have failed to break through the defenses of Dynamo Moscow (0:1) and Severstal (0:2). The current results have deprived the Yaroslavl team of first place in the Western Conference. SKA, instead, with 32 points, is fighting for a place in the playoff zone.
19:00: Lokomotiv (20-10-3, 3rd W) vs SKA (14-11-4, 8th W)
About the game
Lokomotiv plays the lone home game of the series on a two-match losing streak.
SKA enters the fourth game of a six-match road trip following a loss to Ak Bars on Friday (2:5).
The season series between the two teams is 3-0 (4:2, 3:1, 3:2).
SKA’s forward Joseph Blandisi is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that stretch.
SKA’s forward Brendan Leipsic is on a three-game scoring streak instead, with 6 (5+1) points.
Injury list
Lokomotiv: Andrei Sergeyev, Daniil Tesanov.
SKA: Matvei Korotky, Vladislav Romanov, Nikita Zaitsev.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s forward Alexander Radulov may reach 500 KHL assists (currently at 499), while Maxim Beryozkin may get to 100 (currently at 99).
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk may record his 10th league shutout.
SKA’s forward Andrei Loktionov may reach 200 KHL assists (currently at 199).
