Series shift cities as Salavat Yulaev and CSKA look to turn the tide on home ice
Lokomotiv rides Isayev’s remarkable shutout streak to tighten its grip on the series, leaving Salavat Yulaev searching for answers, while CSKA returns home under pressure as Avangard aims to extend its lead behind the red-hot Poturalski and Okulov.
13:30: Salavat Yulaev (5th W) vs Lokomotiv (1st W)
Series stand
0-2 (0:1, 0:2).
About the game
Lokomotiv’s goalie Daniil Isayev put on another goaltending clinic when he recorded his second successive shutout to put the Railwaymen in control of the series. But it was a big night also for Isayev’s opposite number, Ilya Konovalov. Salavat Yulaev’s back-up goalie was unexpectedly thrust into the starting line-up in the absence of Semyon Vyazovoi, who did not make Friday’s roster. The former Lokomotiv goalie, who was awarded the Alexei Cherepanov trophy as the league’s best rookie in 2018-2019 with the Railwaymen, had 28 saves, but it wasn’t enough as Salavat Yulaev failed to score on Isayev. Byron Froese netted the game-winner, with veteran Alexander Radulov doubling the score in the dying minutes on an empty net.
Lokomotiv’s goalie Daniil Isayev is on a 152:32 shutout streak.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Alexander Komarov, Prokhor Korbit, Evgeny Kulik, Gleb Kuzmin.
Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Evgeny Kuznetsov may score his 100th goal in the KHL (currently at 99).
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Pyotr Khokhryakov may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
Salavat Yulaev’s goalie Semyon Vyazovoi may reach 100 KHL games and record his 10th KHL shutout.
Lokomotiv’s forward Pavel Kraskovsky may score his 200th career point (currently at 198).
Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Shalunov may record his 200th career assist (currently at 199).
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk may record his 10th KHL shutout.
Lokomotiv’s defenseman Andrei Sergeyev lines up for his 100th game in the Gagarin Cup playoffs.
17:00: CSKA (5th W) vs Avangard (2nd E)
Series stand
0-2 (0:3, 2:3).
About the game
Despite allowing its first goals in the series, Avangard held on to take a 3:2 verdict on the night and open a 2-0 lead in its contest with CSKA. Andrew Poturalski potted a double for the Hawks, while Konstantin Okulov scored a league-leading seventh goal in this year’s elimination stage. Nikita Serebryakov added two periods of blanking the opposition, surrendering to Nick Ebert and Nikolai Kovalenko only in the third period, when Avangard was already eyeing its second win in the series. With the action returning to Moscow, maybe Igor Nikitin will opt for a change in CSKA’s crease after Dmitry Gamzin allowed three goals in only sixteen Avangard shots in Game Two.
Avangard’s forward Konstantin Okulov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 8 (5+3) points over that stretch.
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov had at least an assist in each of his previous four matches, totaling five helpers.
Avangard’s forward Andrew Poturalski is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Injury list
CSKA: Danila Moiseyev, Vladislav Provolnev.
Avangard: Ivan Igumnov.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s forward Konstantin Okulov may net his 200th career goal (currently at 198) and reach 100 points in the Gagarin Cup playoffs (currently at 98).
