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Two KHL classics headline four-game Sunday
Four games are on tap as Sibir host Avtomobilist in Novosibirsk, while Avangard and Metallurg meet in Omsk in the first of two KHL classics. Neftekhimik then welcome Admiral in Nizhnekamsk, before CSKA and Lokomotiv renew their intense rivalry in Moscow. Magnitka enter their clash with the Hawks unbeaten this season, while the Railwaymen are also yet to taste defeat after winning all three of their games.
The matchday starts in the Eastern Conference with three games. First, in Novosibirsk, Sibir welcomes Avtomobilist. Both teams sport an identical 1-1-1 record. The hosts lost their opener to Ak Bars (3:4 SO), lost in regulation to Barys (1:7), and collected their first win of the season on Thursday shutting out Amur (2:0). The Motormen have instead defeated Dynamo Moscow in the opening game of the season (2:1) and lost to Traktor in extra time (3:4 OT) and in regulation to Neftekhimik (1:3). If Sibir is going to try and build on its recent win over Amur, Avtomobilist will be looking to bounce back after two straight losses in an exciting game in Novosibirsk.
The action continues in Omsk, where Avangard hosts Metallurg in the first classic matchup of today’s slate. If Salavat Yulaev surprised the Hawks in the first game of the season, returning to Ufa with a 4:0 win, spoiling Avangard’s home opener, Guy Boucher’s men bounced back quickly with a convincing 4:1 victory over HC Sochi on Thursday. Magnitka is instead on a roll. The team won its first three matches of the season, over Amur (twice, 4:2, 2:1) and Ak Bars (3:2 SO), and will be looking for a fourth victory today in Omsk. Moreover, the Hawks are still battling with several key players sitting on IL and missing the first part of the season. The Crowd at the Omsk Arena should be treated with a high-level battle.
Then, in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik welcomes Admiral. The Sailors had a big morale boost on Thursday, when they defeated CSKA in Moscow (4:2), celebrating their first win of the season after losing to Ak Bars (0:2) and Dynamo Moscow (1:2 SO). The Wolves are however in no worse form: after a loss to the Shanghai Dragons (4:5 OT), they defeated HC Sochi (5:1) and Avtomobilist (3:1) – both at home. With both teams in good form and coming off convincing wins, this one looks particularly difficult to call. Admiral will be buoyed by their impressive triumph in Moscow, while Neftekhimik have shown they can be dangerous on home ice. Expect a closely fought battle in Nizhnekamsk, with little to separate the two sides and either team capable of taking the points.
In the Western Conference, CSKA faces Lokomotiv in another classic. The rivalry between the two sides has also become one of the most intense in the KHL in recent years. And while last season’s main storyline was Igor Nikitin’s return from Lokomotiv to CSKA, this year brings another one to the mix. Dmitry Kvartalnov, the newly appointed head coach of the Yaroslavl team previously worked alongside CSKA’s head coach at the Moscow club. It has been noted that it was Kvartalnov who laid the foundation for CSKA’s 2019 championship-winning team. Now, Dmitry Kvartalnov is working with Nikitin’s legacy at Lokomotiv, for whom the game against the Muscovites will be their first road game of the current season. The Railwaymen enter today’s game unbeaten, with wins over Traktor (5:1), the Shanghai Dragons (3:1), and Severstal (2:1 OT).
13:30: Sibir (1-1-1) vs Avtomobilist (1-1-1).
About the game
Sibir is in the middle of a three-game home series, while Avtomobilist plays the second of a seven-match road game.
Sibir’s goalie Mikhail Berdin is on a 73:27 shutout streak.
Injury list
Sibir: Anton Krasotkin.
Milestone alert
Mikhail Berdin may celebrate his 50th KHL victory.
14:00: Avangard (1-1-0) vs Metallurg (3-0-0).
About the game
Avangard enters the third game of a four-match home series after defeating HC Sochi on Thursday (4:1).
Metallurg wraps up a two-game road trip on a three-game winning streak.
Injury list
Avangard: Maxime Lajoie, Pavel Leuka, Michael McLeod, Nikolai Prokhorkin, Damir Sharipzyanov, Alexander Volkov.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s defenseman Kirill Adamchuk lines up for his 400th KHL game.
17:00: Neftekhimik (2-0-1) vs Admiral (1-1-1).
About the game
Neftekhimik wraps up a four-game home series and won its previous couple of matches.
Admiral ends a four-game road trip following a win in Moscow over CSKA on Friday (4:2).
Neftekhimik’s forward Andrei Belozyorov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that streak.
Neftekhimik’s forward Rafael Bikmullin is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Neftekhimik’s forwards Nikita Khoruzhev and Damir Zhafyarov are on an identical three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury list
Admiral: Mario Grman, Kyle Olson, Artyom Pimenov, Yegor Rykov.
17:00: CSKA (1-2-0) vs Lokomotiv (3-0-0).
About the game
CSKA wraps up a four-game home series following a loss to Admiral on Friday (2:4).
Lokomotiv starts a two-game road trip on a three-match winning streak.
CSKA’s defenseman Alex Cotton had an assist in each of his previous three matches.
CSKA’s forward Dmitry Buchelnikov scored a goal in each of his previous three games.
Lokomotiv’s forward Yegor Surin is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points over that stretch.
Lokomotiv’s forward Georgy Ivanov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Injury list
Lokomotiv: Maxim Beryozkin, Artur Kayumov.
Milestone alert
CSKA’s forward Nikolai Kovalenko may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 198).
Lokomotiv’s forward Denis Alexeyev lines up for his 600th league appearance.
Lokomotiv’s forward Alexander Radulov is still seeking his 300th goal in the KHL (currently at 298).
Lokomotiv’s goalie Daniil Isayev may record his 40th career shutout, while his colleague Alexei Melnichuk may reach 10.
