Metallurg and SKA set for high-tempo showdown in Magnitogorsk
Four games headline today’s KHL schedule, starting in Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik hosts Admiral in a rematch with playoff implications in the East. In Magnitogorsk, conference leader Metallurg welcomes SKA in a clash of in-form, attack-minded teams. Salavat Yulaev looks to extend its surge at home against Barys in Ufa, before the focus shifts West, as Severstal and Torpedo meet in Cherepovets with key standings points on the line.
The first game of the match day is scheduled in Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik hosts Admiral in a revenge match. Two days ago, The Wolves celebrated an extra time win over the Sailors, and today they will be trying to celebrate again to surpass Traktor in the standings after yesterday’s Chelyabinsk win over Amur. However, Admiral will be equally looking for a win as the Sailors are now at five points to the playoff line, stuck in last position in the Eastern Conference’s standings with 34 points. Before losing to Neftekhimik, Admiral had also suffered a loss to Sibir (2:5).
14:00: Neftekhimik (21-20-3, 6th E) vs Admiral (13-20-8, 11th E)
About the game
Neftekhimik ends a two-game home series following a win over Admiral on Thursday (3:2 SO).
Admiral enters the third game of a four-match road trip on a two-game losing streak.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Raul Yakupov.
Admiral: Alexander Daryin, Adam Huska, Mikhail Maltsev.
Milestone alert
Admiral’s defenseman Libor Sulak may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
Admiral’s head coach Oleg Bratash reaches 100 games in the KHL.
In Magnitogorsk, Metallurg faces SKA in the teams’ second clash this season. In the first encounter, SKA celebrated a 4:3 win in St. Petersburg, and today the team will try to build on its recent two wins, over the Shanghai Dragons (3:2) and Lada (5:4 OT). SKA is currently the seventh seed in the Western Conference, tied with Spartak at 49 points, but with two games in hand on the Red-and-Whites. Andrei Razin’s team is now riding a four-game winning streak, with a recent victory over Avangard (2:1) in a battle at the top of the Eastern Conference. Today’s game promises to be an exciting one between two fast and offensive squads.
14:30: Metallurg (32-6-4, 1st E) vs SKA (22-13-5, 7th W)
About the game
Metallurg enters the third game of a four-match home series on a four-game winning streak.
SKA, who defeated Metallurg earlier in the season (4:3), starts a three-game road trip on a two-match winning streak.
Metallurg’s forward Sergei Tolchinsky is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that span.
SKA’s forward Rocco Grimaldi is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points over that stretch.
SKA’s forward Sergei Plotnikov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
SKA’s forward Brendan Leipsic is also on a four-game scoring streak, but with 6 (2+4) points.
SKA’s forward Nikolai Goldobin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 7 (2+5) points.
Injury list
Metallurg: Alexander Siryatsky.
SKA: Trevor Murphy, Vladislav Romanov.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s forward Andrei Kozlov lines up for his 100th career appearance.
Metallurg’s defenseman Robin Press may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 199), while Yegor Korobkin may reach 100 (currently at 99).
SKA’s forward Andrei Loktionov may record his 200th KHL assist (currently at 199).
In Ufa, Salavat Yulaev will be looking to stretch a two-game winning streak in a home game against Barys. The Ufa franchise celebrated wins over Neftekhimik (2:1) and Avtomobilist (4:1) – in the later game, Evgeny Kuznetsov had an assist in his debut game with his new team. Salavat Yulaev won four of its last five matches, surrendering only to Dinamo Minsk, in extra time (2:3 OT). The team jumped up to seventh place in the Eastern Conference’s standings, with 42 points – three more than ninth-placed Sibir (who is tied with Amur). Barys lost its previous couple of matches, to Torpedo (2:3) and Ak Bars (1:3) as the Kazakhs are looking out for their first win in 2026. The Astana franchise is currently the tenth seed in the East, with 36 points.
14:30: Salavat Yulaev (19-20-4, 7th E) vs Barys (15-23-6, 10th E)
About the game
Salavat Yulaev wraps up an eight game home series on a two-game winning streak.
Barys enters the fourth game of a five-match road trip following two straight losses.
The season series between the two sides is 2-1 (2:1, 1:2, 7:4).
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Sheldon Rempal is on an eight-game scoring streak, with 16 (4+12) points over that stretch.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Jake Rodewald is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Daniil Alalykin, Gleb Kuzmin.
Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Devin Brosseau lines up for his 200th KHL game.
Salavat Yulaev’s forwards Devin Brosseau and defenseman Evgeny Kulik may score their respective 100th KHL point (currently at 99).
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Pyotr Khokhryakov may dish out his 100th career assist (currently at 99).
The action then moves to the Western Conference for a final match, with Severstal hosting Torpedo. Both sides won their last outing, with the Steelers downing Dinamo Minsk in a key matchup (4:3) and Torpedo defeating Barys on home ice (3:2). Severstal has also defeated Torpedo in the season’s lone clash so far between the two teams. Defeating Dinamo Minsk, Severstal climbed up to second place in the Western Conference, with 59 points – two fewer than Lokomotiv with one game in hand. Torpedo is currently the sixth seed in the West, tied with CSKA at 52 points.
17:00: Severstal (28-13-3, 2nd W) vs Torpedo (24-14-4, 6th W)
About the game
Severstal, who defeated Torpedo earlier in the season (5:3), enters the fourth game of a six-match home series following a win over Dinamo Minsk on Thursday (4:3).
Torpedo starts a two-game road trip fresh off a win over Barys on Tuesday (3:2).
Severstal’s forward Adam Liska is on a seven-game scoring streak, with 9 (6+3) points over that stretch.
Injury list
Severstal: Alexander Samoilov.
Torpedo: Alexei Kruchinin.
Milestone alert
Torpedo’s defenseman Bogdan Konyushkov may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 99).
