Second semifinal to kickoff today, Metallurg hosts Ak Bars
History hangs in the balance as Metallurg and Ak Bars open their semifinal series—past meetings have swung both ways, from Ak Bars’ second-round wins in 2010 and 2018 to Metallurg’s dominant 2017 sweep, but today’s clash signals a fresh battle between two in-form contenders.
14:00: Metallurg (1st E) vs Ak Bars (3rd E)
Series stand
0-0.
Series history
2010. Second round match-up. Ak Bars defeated Metallurg 4-2.
2017. Eastern Conference Finals. Metallurg defeated Ak Bars 4-0.
2018. Second round match-up. Ak Bars defeated Metallurg 4-1.
About the game
Metallurg enters the semifinals stage after defeating Sibir (4-1) and Torpedo (4-1), while Ak Bars defeated Traktor (4-1) and Dinamo Minsk (4-0).
In the regular season, the teams traded wins, with Metallurg collecting two victories (4:3 SO at home and 6:3 on the road) and Ak Bars equally celebrating twice (4:3 on the road and 4:0 at home).
Metallurg’s forward Ruslan Iskhakov enters the semifinals stage on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that stretch.
Ak Bars’ goalie Maxim Arefyev is on a 123:21 shutout streak.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Nikita Lyamkin is on an eight-game scoring streak, with 10 (2+8) points over that span.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Mitchell Miller had at least an assist across his last three matches, totaling four helpers.
Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Barabanov is equally on a three-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points.
Ak Bars’ forward Kirill Semyonov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Ak Bars’ forward Dmitrij Jaskin is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Ak Bars’ forward Ilya Safonov had an assist in each of his previous three games.
Injury list
Metallurg: Dmitry Silantyev.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s forward Sergei Tolchinsky may reach 200 KHL assists (currently at 199).
Ak Bars’ forward Ilya Safonov lines up for his 400th career appearance.
Ak Bars’ goalie Timur Bilyalov may record his 40th shutout in the KHL.
