Early leads tested as series move on the road
The higher seeds are already asserting control in parts of the bracket, with Metallurg and Dinamo Minsk holding commanding 2–0 leads over Sibir and Dynamo Moscow respectively. Elsewhere, the series remain wide open, as Avangard and Neftekhimik, along with Lokomotiv and Spartak, are tied 1–1 heading into a pivotal Game Three as the action shifts venues.
13:30: Sibir (8th E) vs Metallurg (1st E)
Series stand
0-2 (1:4, 1:5)
About the game
Two goals from Swedish blueliner Robin Press bookended a convincing win for Magnitka as the regular season champion opened a 2-0 lead in its first round series against Sibir. For the second time in two days, Andrei Razin’s men proved too strong for the opposition, further improving on Tuesday’s 4:1 scoreline. Other than Press’ double, in its 800th KHL win Magnitka enjoyed goals from regular-season scoring leader Roman Kantserov, Nikita Mikhailis, and Mikhail Fyodorov. Alexander Smolin got the start again, but his duties were limited to a mere 13 shots from Sibir, for whom Sergei Shirokov’s return wasn’t enough. Semyon Koshelev scored for Sibir, who will try to turn the tide as the series shifts to Novosibirsk.
Metallurg’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov is on a six-game scoring streak, with 8 (2+6) points over that stretch.
Metallurg’s forward Alexander Petunin is on a five-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
Metallurg’s forward Roman Kantserov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (4+2) points.
Metallurg’s forward Nikita Mikhailis is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Metallurg’s defenseman Yegor Yakovlev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Metallurg’s forward Mikhail Fyodorov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury list
Metallurg: Dmitry Silantyev.
Milestone alert
Metallurg plays its 1,300th game in KHL history.
14:30: Neftekhimik (7th E) vs Avangard (2nd E)
Series stand
1-1 (2:4, 4:3 2ОТ).
About the game
As Thursday’s game in Omsk moved into the last two minutes, Avangard was up 3:2 and thinking about going up by two in the series as the action moves to Nizhnekamsk. However, Ilya Pastukhov tied things up with a last-gasp goal with Neftekhimik’s goalie pulled, then in the second OT Andrei Belozyorov won the game for the Wolves. Nail Yakupov potted a third-period double for the Hawks, but it wasn’t enough for Guy Boucher’s men, who outshot the opposition only by a minimal margin (40-39). The action now shifts to Tatarstan and the series is open to any outcome.
Avangard’s forward Konstantin Okulov is on a six-game scoring streak, with 9 (4+5) points over that stretch.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Vladislav Barulin.
Milestone alert
Neftekhimik’s head coach Igor Grishin is at his 100th KHL game.
Neftekhimik’s defenseman Timur Khairullin also reaches 100 games in the league.
Avangard’s forward Alexander Volkov lines up for his 300th league appearance.
Avangard’s defenseman Semyon Chistyakov may record his 100th career assist (currently at 99).
17:00: Spartak (8th W) vs Lokomotiv (1st W)
Series stand
1-1 (3:5, 2:1 ОТ).
About the game
In Game Two, Spartak grabbed a sensational OT win at defending champion Lokomotiv, tying the series before the teams head to Moscow for the next couple of matches. Danil Pivchulin netted the OT game-winner for Spartak, who only had four shots in extra time, against Lokomotiv’s 13. The teams failed to score in regulation until the closing frame, when Georgy Ivanov scored for the Railwaymen just to be caught up by Ivan Morozov four minutes later. Red-and-Whites’ goalie Alexander Georgiyev had 40 saves for the Muscovites, who will try to gain momentum as they have the next two games at home.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s forward Pavel Kraskovsky may score his 200th career point (currently at 198), while defenseman Alexander Yelesin may reach 100 (currently at 99).
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk may record his 10th KHL shutout.
17:00: Dynamo Moscow (7th W) vs Dinamo Minsk (2nd W)
Series stand
0-2 (1:3, 1:4).
About the game
Belarusian hopes remain high: after two games of this series, Dinamo Minsk is in a commanding position after two strong home victories. Sam Anas netted the winning goal for the Bison, extending his hot streak to seven games. Kirill Voronin, Sergei Kuznetsov, and Yegor Borikov also scored for Dinamo Minsk, whose defense limited Dynamo Moscow to 17 shots. Ty Smith and Ilya Usov also had two points for the Belarusians. Kirill Adamchuk scored for the Muscovites, who need to be more incisive in the offensive zone in the next two home games.
Dynamo Moscow’s defenseman Daniil Pylenkov is on a seven-game scoring streak, with 10 (2+8) points over that span.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Sam Anas is also on a seven-game scoring streak, with 11 (4+7) points over that stretch.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Andrei Stas is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Injury list
Dynamo Moscow: Fredrik Claesson, Kirill Gotovets, Artyom Mikheyev.
Dinamo Minsk: Daniil Sotishvili.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s goalie Maxim Motorygin may record his 10th career shutout.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Kirill Voronin may line up for his 600th career appearance.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Stanislav Galiyev may reach 300 KHL points (currently at 298).
Dinamo Minsk’s goalie Vasily Demchenko may record his 30th KHL shutout.
