Far East derby between Admiral and Amur; SKA eyes fifth straight win against Salavat Yulaev
It’s a light KHL Monday with just two games on tap. First, Admiral and Amur dispute the sixth Far East derby of the season in Vladivostok, then, in St. Petersburg, SKA seeks a fifth consecutive victory in a home game against Salavat Yulaev.
The matchday starts with the last Far East derby of the season between Admiral and Amur in Vladivostok. The Sailors are up in the series and will try to avoid the Tigers rally back, other than return to victory after five straight losses. Most recently, Admiral suffered two straight 2:3 losses at home, to Avangard (after postgame shootouts) and Traktor (in regulation). At 38 points, the Sailors remain at the foot of the Eastern Conference’s standings. The Tigers aren’t much better off, sitting just seven points higher in the standings and trailing eighth-placed Sibir by ten points. Amur lost its last three games, to Torpedo (1:2), Traktor (5:6), and Avangard (2:6). However, all of that should take a back seat once the puck drops, with bragging rights and regional rivalry taking center stage.
12:30: Admiral (14-30-10, 11th E) vs Amur (19-29-7, 9th E)
About the game
Admiral ends a six-game home series on a five-match losing streak.
Amur kicks off a four-game road trip on a three-match losing streak.
The season series between the teams is 3-2 (2:3, 5:2, 4:1, 1:3, 3:2).
Amur’s forward Yaroslav Likhachyov is on a six-game scoring streak, with 9 (5+4) points over that stretch.
Injury list
Admiral: Vladimir Bryukvin, Alexander Daryin.
Amur: Roman Abrosimov.
Milestone alert
Amur’s forward Evgeny Grachyov lines up for his 700th league appearance.
Amur’s forward Alex Broadhurst may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 99).
The action shifts to the Western Conference for the second match of the day, with SKA facing Salavat Yulaev. Both sides enter today’s clash in great form. The St. Petersburg side achieved four consecutive victories, defeating Dinamo Minsk (4:3 SO), Severstal (3:1), Neftekhimik (5:1), and Barys (5:0), as SKA eyes its fifth straight win. However, Salavat Yulaev has also shown a great game lately, with six consecutive wins, including defeating league-leading Metallurg on Friday (4:3 SO). SKA is now in eighth spot in the Western Conference’s standings, while Salavat Yulaev is the fifth seed in the East, six points from Avtomobilist.
19:30: SKA (28-20-6, 8th W) vs Salavat Yulaev (28-22-4, 5th W)
About the game
SKA kicks off a seven-game home series on a four-match winning streak.
Salavat Yulaev, who defeated SKA earlier in the season (2:1), starts a two-game road trip on a six-match winning streak.
SKA’s goalie Artemy Pleshkov is on a 99:02 shutout streak.
SKA’s forward Sergei Plotnikov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
SKA’s forward Matvei Korotky is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward had at least an assist in each of his previous three matches, totaling four helpers.
Injury list
SKA: Igor Larionov, Trevor Murphy, Vladislav Romanov, Nikita Zaitsev.
Salavat Yulaev: Gleb Kuzmin.
Milestone alert
SKA’s forward Sergei Plotnikov may score his 250th goal in the league (currently at 249).
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Pyotr Khokhryakov may reach 100 career assists (currently at 99).
