Closing time approaches with multiple series on the line
Elimination pressure builds across the slate, with Salavat Yulaev, Ak Bars and CSKA all holding 3–1 leads over Avtomobilist, Traktor and SKA respectively, each with a chance to close out the series. Meanwhile, Torpedo also sits one win away at 3–1 against Severstal, who must respond on home ice to keep their playoff hopes alive.
17:00: Avtomobilist (4th E) vs Salavat Yulaev (5th E)
Series stand
1-3 (2:0, 0:1, 3:4, 2:5).
About the game
A 5-2 win on home ice in game four saw Salavat Yulaev heading back to Avtomobilist with the chance to wrap up the series today in just five games. Maxim Kuznetsov was instrumental for the Ufa team once again, netting a double, with Daniil Alalykin also scoring twice for Salavat Yulaev. Sheldon Rempal scored the game-winner for the Ufa franchise. Semyon Vyazovoi had 36 saves for Salavat Yulaev, while Vladimir Galkin was benched in the early third period as Evgeny Galkin debuted in this year’s playoffs.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Sheldon Rempal is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points over that stretch.
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).
Avtomobilist’s defenseman Maxim Osipov lines up for his 700th league appearance.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Pyotr Khokhryakov may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
Salavat Yulaev’s goalie Semyon Vyazovoi may record his 50th league win and his 10th KHL shutout.
19:30: Ak Bars (3rd E) vs Traktor (6th E)
Series stand
3-1 (3:2 ОТ, 4:2, 2:3, 3:2 2ОТ).
About the game
In Game Three, an OT winner from Ilya Safonov decided the longest game of the season so far and put Ak Bars in a commanding position in its series against Traktor. The goal ensured that Maxim Arefyev earned a win on his first appearance in goal in these playoffs. Dmitrij Jaskin and Artyom Fyodorov scored for Ak Bars, with Joshua Leivo and Maxim Dzhioshvili replying for Traktor, who also had two assists from Mikhail Grigorenko and an impressive 49-save performance from Dmitry Nikolayev. However, the Black-and-Whites will need to do much better to avoid a disappointing first-round exit today.
Ak Bars’ goalie Maxim Arefyev is on a 63:21 shutout streak.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Mitchel Miller is on a six-game scoring streak, with 8 (3+5) points over that stretch.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Nikita Lyamkin had at least one assist in each of his previous three matches, totaling four helpers.
Traktor’s forward Joshua Leivo is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) 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).
Traktor’s forward Joshua Leivo may score his 100th league tally (currently at 99).
Ak Bars’ goalie Timur Bilyalov may record his 40th KHL shutout.
19:30: Severstal (3rd W) vs Torpedo (6th W)
Series stand
1-3 (1:4, 4:0, 1:3, 2:3 2ОТ).
About the game
There was high drama in Nizhny Novgorod in Game Three, where Torpedo scored twice in the last two minutes of regulation to force a 2:2 tie. That prevented Severstal from levelling the series, with Sergei Goncharuk settling the outcome in OT and putting the home team up 3-1 ahead of today’s return to Cherepovets. The teams failed to score until the late third period. Ilya Reingardt and Thomas Gregoire sent the Lynx ahead, but Andrei Belevich and Nikita Shavin rallied for Torpedo before Goncharuk’s heroics. Maxim Letunov and Vladislav Firstov assisted Nizhny Novgorod’s second and third goals. Denis Kosting had 45 saves for Torpedo as the series returns to Cherepovets with the hosts trying to force at least a sixth game.
Milestone alert
Torpedo’s forward Dmitry Shevchenko may score his 100th career point.
19:30: CSKA (4th W) vs SKA (5th W)
Series stand
3-1 (3:2 2ОТ, 4:2, 0:1, 2:4).
About the game
After Friday’s 1:0 win that put SKA right back in this series, CSKA responded with a crucial victory on Sunday in Game Four. Denis Guryanov’s double made the difference in St. Petersburg. Prokhor Poltapov, in his milestone 300th career game, and Vitaly Abramov also scored for the Muscovites, who shuffled their lines putting Nikolai Kovalenko in the middle. SKA’s forwards failed to score this time, with d-men Sergei Sapego and Andrei Pedan finding the back of the net guarded by Dmitry Gamzin. The series returns to Moscow with CSKA looking for a fourth, and final, win.
SKA’s forward Marat Khairullin had one assist in each of his previous three matches.
Injury list
CSKA: Danila Moiseyev, Vladislav Provolnev.
SKA: Igor Larionov, Trevor Murphy, Nikita Zaitsev.
Milestone alert
SKA’s goalie Sergei Ivanov may record his 10th KHL shutout.
