Hot day in the Far East: Amur hosts Traktor, Admiral faces Avangard
After yesterday’s frenzy, only two games are on tap today, both in the Far East, with Amur taking on Traktor and Admiral facing Avangard. However, there may be playoffs sentences even in such a light day.
In the first game of the day, Amur hosts Traktor. This game can potentially give Ak Bars a ticket for the postseason if the Tigers won’t be able to defeat their opponents in regulation time. After the All-Star break, Traktor head out on a three-game road trip along the route Khabarovsk – Vladivostok – Omsk. In their most recent stretch, Evgeny Koreshkov’s men have put together back-to-back wins, conceding just one goal in total — against Sibir (3:1) and Ak Bars (4:0). With 54 points, Traktor sit seventh in the Eastern Conference, nine points clear of Amur, who are ninth. Before the break, the Tigers suffered a home defeat to Torpedo (1:2), their first loss in the previous four games. Can Alexander Andriyevsky’s team get back into the playoff race as the regular season enters its final stretch? After yesterday’s Sibir record-breaking win over HC Sochi, Amur is now at eight points from the playoffs line.
12:15: Amur (19-27-7, 9th E) vs Traktor (24-22-6, 7th E)
About the game
Amur enters the fifth game of a six-match home series following a loss to Torpedo on Feb. 04 (1:2).
Traktor kicks off a three-game road trip on a two-match winning streak.
The season series between the two sides is 1-2 (1:2 ОТ, 6:4, 2:4).
Amur’s forward Yaroslav Likhachyov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that stretch.
Traktor’s goalie Sergei Mylnikov is on an 84:47 shutout streak.
Injury list
Amur: Roman Abrosimov.
Milestone alert
Amur’s forward Alex Broadhurst may score his 100th point in the league (currently at 99).
Traktor’s defenseman Grigory Dronov lines up for his 500th KHL appearance.
In the second and last game of the day, Admiral will seek a return to victory in a home clash against Avangard. After Oleg Bratash was appointed head coach, Admiral have managed just one win in 18 games. Unsurprisingly, with such dismal results, the Sailors sit bottom of the Eastern Conference, five points behind Barys, albeit with three games in hand. The hosts are currently on a three-game losing streak, the most recent coming at home against the Astana side on Feb. 4 (1:4). In its final game before the break, Avangard suffered a home defeat to Avtomobilist (2:3 OT), their first loss in the previous nine matches. The Hawks, who are set to play one game each in Vladivostok and Khabarovsk, remain second in the conference at 76 points, having already secured an early berth in the upcoming playoffs. Earlier this season, the Hawks won two of three meetings against Admiral. Can the Sailors level the season series?
12:30: Admiral (14-29-9, 11th E) vs Avangard (36-12-4, 2nd E)
About the game
Admiral enters the fourth game of a six-match home series on a three-game losing streak.
Avangard starts a two-game road trip following a loss to Avtomobilist on Feb. 4 (2:3 OT).
The season series between the two teams is 1-2 (1:6, 2:1 ОТ, 2:5).
Avangard’s forward Andrew Poturalski is on a nine-game scoring streak, with 14 (3+11) points over that stretch.
Injury list
Admiral: Alexander Daryin.
Avangard: Alexander Volkov.
Milestone alert
Admiral’s forward Dmitry Zavgorodny may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 99).
Avangard’s forward Konstantin Okulov may instead reach 500 (currently at 498).
