Playoffs series diverge as matchups shift venues

The Eastern matchups are already diverging, with Salavat Yulaev and Avtomobilist tied 1–1 after two tight, low-scoring games, while Ak Bars seized a 2–0 lead over Traktor. In the West, Severstal responded emphatically to level the series 1–1 against Torpedo, whereas CSKA took full control with a 2–0 edge over SKA as the action shifts venue.

17:00: Salavat Yulaev (5^th E) vs Avtomobilist (4^th E)

Series stand
1-1  (0:2, 1:0).

About the game
Salavat Yulaev, beaten 0:2 in the opener on Monday, tied the series thanks to Yegor Suchkov’s first-period goal and Semyon Vyazovoi’s 27 saves. With only three goals scored in the series, goalies are taking center stage in the confrontation, with Vladimir Galkin sporting 31 saves in Game One for the Motormen. It was Viktor Kozlov’s 200^th win in the KHL as a head coach. The series now heads to Ufa with the teams deadlocked at one win apiece, and once again unpredictability looks set to define the matchup, as neither side has managed to gain a clear upper hand after two tightly contested games.
Salavat Yulaev’s goalie Semyon Vyazovoi is on a 95:46 shutout streak.

Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Alexander Chyorny, Alexander Komarov, Prokhor Korbit, Gleb Kuzmin.,

Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Pyotr Khokhryakov may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
Salavat Yulaev’s goalie Semyon Vyazovoi may record his 10^th KHL shutout.
Avtomobilist’s defenseman Dmitry Yudin may dish out his 100^th career assist (currently at 99).

17:00: Traktor (6^th E) vs Ak Bars (3^rd E)

Series stand
0-2 (2:3 ОТ, 2:4).

About the game
Ak Bars came from behind to beat Traktor once again in Game Two. Two goals from Kirill Semyonov put Anvar Gatiyatulin’s men into a strong position before they travel to Chelyabinsk for the next couple of matches. Moreover, Timur Bilyalov set a KHL record for the most career assists by a goalie, with sixteen helpers. Alexei Marchenko and Artyom Galimov also had two points for Ak Bars. Joshua Leivo and Andrei Nikonov scored for Traktor, who needs now to find a reply to Ak Bars’ strong back-to-back performance as the series returns to Chelyabinsk.
Traktor’s forward Vitaly Kravtsov is also on a six-game scoring streak, with 9 (4+5) points over that stretch.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Mitchel Miller is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Chmelevsky is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.
Ak Bars’ forward Nathan Todd is on a three-game scoring streak, with 7 (4+3) points over that span.

Injury list
Traktor: Sergei Mylnikov.

Milestone alert
Traktor’s defenseman Michal Cajkovsky may reach 200 points in the KHL (currently at 199).
Ak Bars’ goalie Timur Bilyalov may record his 40^th KHL shutout.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Mitchel Miller may score his 100^th league point (currently at 99).

19:30: Torpedo (6^th W) vs Severstal (3^rd W)

Series stand
1-1  (4:1, 0:4).

About the game
Severstal bounced back from a home loss in the series opener to outplay Torpedo in Game Two. A 4:0 final score and a 51-16 shot count highlighted the gap between the teams on a day for forget for the visitor. Mikhail Ilyin was the starring of the night, netting a double for the Lynx. Alexander Samoilov had 16 saves as he recorded his first Gagarin Cup playoffs’ shutout. Adam Liska and Ivan Podshivalov also scored for today’s visitors, who will be looking to win again today in Nizhny Novgorod as they entered the series with a higher seed.
Severstal’s goalie Alexander Samoilov is on a 73:56 shutout streak.

Milestone alert
Torpedo’s forward Dmitry Shevchenko may score his 100^th career point.

19:30: SKA (5^th W) vs CSKA (4^th W)

Series stand
0-2 (2:3 2ОТ, 2:4).

About the game
After needing a second period of overtime to decide the opening game, Game Two was over early in the closing frame. CSKA shrugged off the loss of an early goal to open a 4:1 lead, and SKA’s late goal didn’t affect the outcome as Igor Nikitin celebrated his 500^th win in the KHL. Pavel Karnaukhov, Denis Guryanov, Takhir Mingachyov, and Dmitry Buchelnikov replied to Joseph Blandisi’s early tally, with Nikita Dishovsky’s late tally being no more than a consolation goal. Dmitry Gamzin had 22 saves for CSKA as the series shifts to the Russian northern capital.
SKA’s forward Sergei Plotnikov had an assist in each of his previous three matches.
CSKA’s forward Maxim Sorkin is on a six-game scoring streak, with 9 (4+5) points over that stretch.
CSKA’s forward Dmitry Buchelnikov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.

Injury list
CSKA: Danila Moiseyev, Vladislav Provolnev.
SKA: Igor Larionov, Trevor Murphy, Nikita Zaitsev.

Milestone alert
SKA’s forward Nikolai Goldobin lines up for his 400^th league appearance. The three-time KHL All-Star has 137 goals and 189 assists in his league career.