Momentum swings set the tone for Game 2 battles
In the East, Avtomobilist and Ak Bars hold a 1–0 edge after taking the opening games, while in the West CSKA also leads its series 1–0 following a marathon win. Torpedo produced the only road upset so far, stealing Game 1 against Severstal to take the early advantage, as Salavat Yulaev, Traktor, Spartak and SKA all look to respond and level their respective series.
17:00: Avtomobilist (4th E) vs Salavat Yulaev (5th E)
Series stand
1-0 (2:0).
About the game
The Motormen started with the right gear in game one, scoring two unanswered goals in front of a packed home crowd. Daniel Sprong netted a double in the middle frame, Vladimir Galkin made 31 saves for his 10th career shutout (and had one assist), and Avtomobilist is now up in the series after the first match. Salavat Yulaev will have to regroup and seek new strategies after failing to score on their opponents, but knowing that the team can trust Semyon Vyazovoi, who had a strong 34-save performance despite the loss.
Avtomobilist’s goalie Vladimir Galkin is on a 70:25 shutout streak.
Avtomobilist’s forward Daniel Sprong is on a four-game scoring streak, with 9 (6+3) points over that stretch.
Avtomobilist’s defenseman Jesse Blacker is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Alexander Chyorny, Alexander Komarov, Prokhor Korbit, Gleb Kuzmin.,
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s defenseman Dmitry Yudin may dish out his 100th career assist (currently at 99).
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Pyotr Khokhryakov may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
Salavat Yulaev may celebrate its 100th win in the Gagarin Cup playoffs.
Salavat Yulaev’s head coach Viktor Kozlov may reach 200 KHL wins.
19:30: Ak Bars (3rd E) vs Traktor (6th E)
Series stand
1-0 (3:2 OT).
About the game
It was an exciting show in game one. A last-minute goal from Vitaly Kravtsov took this playoff opener into extra time. Traktor’s record scorer saved his team with just 20 seconds left on the clock, but that wasn’t enough for the Black-and-Whites. In OT, Alexander Barabanov deflected a shot by Ilya Safonov to claim victory for the hosts. Kravtsov’s double wasn’t enough for Traktor, who will try to tie things up today. Bilyalov made 46 saves for Ak Bars, while Mikhail Grigorenko assisted Kravtsov on both Traktor’s goals.
Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Barabanov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that stretch.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Mitchel Miller is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Chmelevsky is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Traktor’s goalie Savely Sherstnev is on a 105:03 shutout streak.
Traktor’s forward Mikhail Grigorenko is on a five-game scoring streak, with 10 (4+6) points over that span.
Traktor’s forward Vitaly Kravtsov is also on a five-game scoring streak, with 8 (4+4) points.
Traktor’s forward Andrei Svetlakov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Injury list
Traktor: Sergei Mylnikov.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ goalie Timur Bilyalov may record his 40th KHL shutout.
Ak Bars’ forward Artyom Galimov may score his 200th career point (currently at 199).
Ak Bars may celebrate its 800th KHL win.
Traktor’s defenseman Michal Cajkovsky may reach 200 points in the KHL (currently at 199).
19:30: Severstal (3rd W) vs Torpedo (6th W)
Series stand
0-1 (1:4).
About the game
The first Western pair gave the crowd the first surprise this season when Torpedo celebrated a 4:1 road win in Cherepovets. The visitors made the most of their chances to grab the early initiative. Torpedo scored four goals from 23 shots to secure a valuable road win in Cherepovets. Alexei Isakov’s men proved more effective in the opener, with goals from Vladislav Firstov, Nikita Shavin, Yegor Vinogradov and Andrei Belevich securing the win. Anton Silayev had two points for Torpedo, while Adam Liska’s goal wasn’t enough for Severstal as the Lynx will try to level the series today.
Torpedo’s forward Yegor Vinogradov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points over that stretch.
Milestone alert
Severstal’s defenseman Nikolai Burenov lines up for his 200th league appearance.
19:30: CSKA (4th W) vs SKA (5th W)
Series stand
1-0 (3:2 2OT)
About the game
The home team trailed twice, but rallied to win in extra time. A double from Maxim Sorkin kept CSKA in the game before Nikita Nesterov got the decider at the start of the second OT with a slapshot from the blue line that hit SKA’s Mikhail Vorobyov before going in past Artemy Pleshkov, who had 43 saves in the night. CSKA’s Dmitry Gamzin stopped 30 shots, while Nikita Goldobin had two points for the St. Petersburg side, who will be looking to bounce back today.
CSKA’s forward Maxim Sorkin is on a five-game scoring streak, with 8 (4+4) points over that stretch.
CSKA’s forward Dmitry Buchelnikov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Injury list
CSKA: Danila Moiseyev, Vladislav Provolnev.
SKA: Igor Larionov, Trevor Murphy, Nikita Zaitsev.
Milestone alert
CSKA’s head coach Igor Nikitin may reach 500 KHL wins.
CSKA’s defenseman Nikita Nesterov lines up for his 600th league appearance.
CSKA’s forward Maxim Sorkin may score his 200th career point (currently at 199).
