Second round to start for the other two series!
Fresh matchups headline the second round, as Dinamo Minsk and Ak Bars face off in the playoffs for the first time ever, while Metallurg and Torpedo renew a rivalry not seen since their lone postseason meeting back in 2009, adding a rare sense of novelty to the KHL bracket.
17:00: Metallurg (1st E) vs Torpedo (6th W)
Series stand
0-0
Series history
2009: First round meet-up: Metallurg defeated Torpedo 3-0.
About the game
In the first round, Metallurg defeated Sibir (4-1), while Torpedo got the best of Severstal (4-1).
Metallurg defeated Torpedo twice in this season’s meetings, 4:1 at home and 5:1 away.
Metallurg’s goalie Alexander Smolin enters the second round on a 128:31 shutout streak.
Torpedo’s forward Vladislav Firstov had at least an assist in each of his last three matches, totaling four helpers.
Injury list
Metallurg: Dmitry Silantyev.
Milestone alert
Torpedo’s forward Dmitry Shevchenko may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 99).
19:30: Dinamo Minsk (2nd W) vs Ak Bars (3rd E)
Series stand
0-0
Series history
It’s the first time the two teams meet in the elimination stage.
About the game
In the first round, Dinamo Minsk swept Dynamo Moscow (4-0), while Ak Bars defeated Traktor (4-1).
Dinamo Minsk defeated Ak Bars twice in this season’s meetings, 4:3 at home and 7:3 away.
Dinamo Minsk’s goalie Zach Fucale enters the series on a 64:06 shutout streak.
Ak Bars’ goalie Maxim Arefyev is on a 63:21 shutout streak.
Ak Bars’ forward Artyom Galimov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (4+2) points over that stretch.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Nikita Lyamkin had at least an assist in each of his last four matches, totaling five helpers.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Daniil Sotishvili.
Milestone alert
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Kirill Voronin may reach 600 career games.
Dinamo Minsk’s goalie Vasily Demchenko may record his 30th career shutout.
Ak Bars’ forward Dmitrij Jaskin lines up for his 400th league appearance. The forward has 202 goals and 129 assists in his KHL career.
Ak Bars’ goalie Timur Bilyalov may record his 40th league shutout.
