Avangard seeks momentum against Traktor; four games on tap today
Four key KHL matchups are scheduled today, starting in Khabarovsk where Amur aims to break a nine-game losing streak against Avtomobilist. Sibir returns home to extend its three-game winning streak versus Dinamo Minsk, which celebrates its 1,100th KHL game. Avangard hosts Traktor in Omsk, while Shanghai Dragons return to St. Petersburg to face HC Sochi, keeping playoff hopes alive.
The match day starts in Khabarovsk, with Amur trying to turn the tide and return to winning games after nine straight losses. Yesterday, the other Far East franchise, Admiral, managed to break a nine-game skid – it’s time for the Tigers to make the same. Today’s opposition, however, won't just let them win – Avtomobilist is seeking points to stay in the Eastern Conference’s top four. Currently, the Motormen have four wins in the last five matches and a three-point cushion over fifth-placed Neftekhimik. It will be the fourth meeting between the two Eastern franchises this season, with Avtomobilist up in the series as today the sides collide for a revenge match after losing on Monday in Yekaterinburg.
12:15: Amur (16-26-7, 9th E) vs Avtomobilist (28-17-4, 4th E)
About the game
Amur starts a six-game home series on a nine-match losing streak.
Avtomobilist kicks off a four-game road trip following a home win over Amur on Monday (4:2).
The season series between the two sides is 1-2 (1:3, 3:0, 2:4).
Injury list
Amur: Roman Abrosimov.
Avtomobilist: Dmitry Yudin.
Then, in Novosibirsk, Sibir will try to stretch its current winning streak as the team returns on home ice for a game against Dinamo Minsk. Earlier in the season, the Bison celebrated a large, 7:0 victory over Sibir in Belarus, and today the Novosibirsk side will likely want revenge. Sibir is currently on a three-win run, celebrating victories over Metallurg (2:1), Ak Bars (3:2 SO), and Torpedo (4:2), establishing an eight-point cushion over Amur and Barys as the last team in the Eastern Conference’s top eight. Today, Dinamo Minsk celebrates its 1,100th game in the KHL, and it will be nice for the team to celebrate a win also to get closer to Lokomotiv, who returned to the top of the West’s table with a three-point advantage on the Belarusians.
15:30: Sibir (21-25-5, 8th E) vs Dinamo Minsk (30-13-6, 3rd W)
About the game
Sibir kicks off a seven-game home series on a three-match winning streak.
Dinamo Minsk, who defeated Sibir earlier in the season (7:0), starts a two-game road trip following a loss to Salavat Yulaev on Monday (1:2 OT).
Sibir’s defenseman Yegor Alanov had an assist in each of his previous three matches.
Sibir’s forward Anton Kosolapov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that stretch.
Injury list
Sibir: Mikhail Abramov, Ilya Fedotov, Daniil Valitov.
Dinamo Minsk: Joshua Brook, Xavier Ouellet.
Milestone alert
Dinamo Minsk plays its 1,100th KHL game.
Dinamo Minsk’s goalie Vasily Demchenko may record his 30th KHL shutout.
Then, in Omsk, Avangard faces Traktor as the Hawks try to keep on flying high after five consecutive wins. The two sides last met on Jan. 18, when Avangard celebrated a 5:2 road win, with Damir Sharipzyanov netting a hat-trick. After that game, the Hawks went on with another three straight victories, over Salavat Yulaev (5:2), Avtomobilist (2:1 OT), and Admiral (5:2), respectively. The Black-and-Whites rebounded with a 3:1 win over Admiral, but then fell to table-topping Metallurg on Tuesday (2:3). Avangard is currently the third seed in the Eastern Conference, at 69 points, while Traktor is in seventh place at 50.
16:30: Avangard (33-12-3, 3rd E) vs Traktor (22-21-6, 7th E)
About the game
Avangard ends a two-game home series on a five-match winning streak.
Traktor is in the middle of a three-game road trip that started with a loss to Metallurg on Tuesday (2:3).
The season series between the two teams is 3-1 (1:5, 8:5, 3:2, 5:2).
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov is on a nine-game scoring streak, with 16 (8+8) points over that stretch.
Avangard’s forward Andrew Poturalski is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (2+5) points.
Traktor’s defenseman Grigory Dronov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Injury list
Avangard: Alexander Volkov.
Milestone alert
Traktor’s forward Joshua Leivo may dish out his 100th KHL assist (currently at 99).
Traktor’s goalie Sergei Mylnikov may line up for his 100th career appearance.
Today’s action wraps up with the second consecutive showdown between the Shanghai Dragons and HC Sochi, this time scheduled in St. Petersburg. Shanghai Dragons’ new head coach Mitch Love picked up his first win in emphatic fashion at Sochi on Monday, as the Chinese franchise is trying to keep its playoff hopes alive. Today, the sides meet again for the second of three consecutive showdowns. The Dragons will be seeking points as they are currently eight points below the playoff places, while HC Sochi is the last team in the league’s standings, at 35 points.
19:30: Shanghai Dragons (18-22-9, 9th W) vs HC Sochi (14-26-7, 11th W)
About the game
The Shanghai Dragons start a seven-game home series following a win over HC Sochi on Monday (6:2).
HC Sochi starts a six-game road trip on a four-match losing streak.
The season series between the two teams is 1-1 (2:4, 6:2).
Shanghai Dragons’ forward Nick Merkley is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points over that stretch.
Shanghai Dragons’ forward Troy Josephs is also on a four-game scoring streak, but with 7 (2+5) points.
Injury list
Shanghai Dragons: Jeremy Groleau, Ben Harpur, Patrik Rybar.
HC Sochi: Denis Vengryzhanovsky, Artyom Volkov.
Milestone alert
Shanghai Dragons’ forward Ilya Kablukov may reach 200 career points (currently at 199).
Shanghai Dragons’ forward Kirill Rasskazov may dish out his 100th KHL assist (currently at 99).
HC Sochi’s forward Dmitry Kagarlitsky may net his 200th league goal (currently at 199).
HC Sochi’s goalie Ilya Samsonov may line up for his 100th league appearance.
