The Green Derby returns as Eastern contenders go head-to-head

The first Green Derby of the season between Salavat Yulaev and Ak Bars headlines a five-game matchday, with Sibir looking to bounce back against Neftekhimik, Metallurg and Spartak meeting in Magnitogorsk, Lada hosting Barys, and HC Sochi taking on CSKA.

The matchday starts in Novosibirsk again, with Sibir hosting Neftekhimik trying to bounce back after a disappointing home loss to Avtomobilist on Sunday (2:5), despite two points from Evgeny Kuznetsov. Of four games since the start of the season, Sibir has only won one, against Amur (2:0). Neftekhimik is on a much better place and is one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference’s standings. The Wolves are currently on a three-game winning streak, coming out on top in confrontations with HC Sochi (5:1), Avtomobilist (3:1), and Admiral (2:1). The home crowd will certainly want to see Sibir bounce back, as much as Neftekhimik will be determined to prolong its winning streak.

In Ufa, the stage is set for the first Green Derby of the season between Salavat Yulaev and Ak Bars. The rivalry between the two teams needs little introduction, with games between these teams always intense and entertaining. Last season, Ak Bars had the upper hand in the confrontation, winning four of six meetings with their Ufa rivals. What will the result be this season? Both teams had a good start of the season. The hosts won their first couple of matches, with a loss to Barys in Astana a week ago (6:8). Ak Bars collected three straight wins, but lost twice in a row, to Metallurg (2:3 SO) and Torpedo (2:3), and will be looking to bounce back to gain back their early pace.

In the meantime, another high-stakes game is scheduled in Magnitogorsk, with Metallurg hosting Spartak. After three straight wins, Magnitka just fell to Avangard (2:3 OT), but remained one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. The Muscovites won three games in a row, over CSKA (3:2), SKA (3:1), and Severstal (8:0), respectively. At this point, it’s hard to see a clear-cut favorite in this game, with both teams showing good form and excellent hockey, and being ready for a real battle on the Urals.

In the last Eastern Conference game of the matchday, Lada hosts Barys. The Togliatti side just collected its first win of the season when Lada defeated Dinamo Minsk 4:2 on home ice on Monday. The Kazakhs had a striking start to the season with two straight wins over Sibir (7:1) and Salavat Yulaev (8:6), but then fell at home to Amur (1:3) and will be looking to bounce back in this road match. With both sides willing to catch a win, the Togliatti crowd will be treated to a game where uncertainty will be key.

The action will then move to the Western Conference for a last game, between HC Sochi and CSKA. The Black Sea franchise lost its first three games in the 2026-2027 campaign, to Neftekhimik (1:5), Avangard (1:4), and SKA (0:1), and for the moment sit in bottom place in the West’s table. However, CSKA isn’t much higher in the standings. The Muscovites won only once in the season, against Torpedo on Sept. 9 (3:0), but lost to Spartak (2:3), Admiral (2:4), and Lokomotiv (2:3) – all in regulation. CSKA will likely try to revert the trend to start climbing the standings back before losing too much ground from the top of the table.

15:30: Sibir (1-2-1) vs Neftekhimik (3-0-1).

About the game

Sibir ends a three-game home series following a loss to Avtomobilist on Sunday (2:5).

Neftekhimik starts a three-game road trip on a three-match winning streak.

Neftekhimik’s forward Andrei Belozyorov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points over that stretch.

Neftekhimik’s forward Damir Zhafyarov is also on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.

Neftekhimik’s forward Evgeny Mityakin is on a three-game scoring streak instead, with 4 (1+3) points.

17:00: Salavat Yulaev (2-1-0) vs Ak Bars (3-1-1).

About the game

Salavat Yulaev starts a four-game home series following a loss to Barys on Sept. 09 (6:8).

Ak Bars is in the middle of a three-game road trip and enters the first Green Derby of the season on a two-match losing streak.

Salavat Yulaev’s goalie Semyon Vyazovoi is on an 85:54 shutout streak.

Salavat Yulaev’s defenseman Alexander Alexeyev had at least an assist in each of his previous three matches, totaling five helpers.

Salavat Yulaev’s forward Jack Rodewald is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points over that stretch.

Ak Bars’ forward Kirill Semyonov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 8 (1+7) points.

Injury list

Salavat Yulaev: Artyom Gorshkov, Gleb Kuzmin.

17:00: Metallurg (3-0-1) vs Spartak (3-1-0).

About the game

Metallurg starts a three-game home series following a loss to Avangard on Sunday (2:3 OT).

Spartak starts a three-match road trip on a three-game winning streak.

Spartak’s goalie Artyom Zagidulin is on a 60:00 shutout streak.

Spartak’s defenseman Christian Jaros is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that stretch.

Spartak’s defenseman Andrei Mironov had at least an assist in each of his previous three matches, totaling five helpers.

Spartak’s forward Mikhail Maltsev is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.

Spartak’s defenseman Daniil Orlov had an assist in each of his previous three games.

Injury list

Spartak: Maxime Comtois, Alex Galchenyuk, William Riley.

18:00: Lada (1-2-2) vs Barys (2-1-0).

About the game

Lada wraps up a three-game home series following a win over Dinamo Minsk on Monday (4:2).

Barys starts a four-game road trip following a loss to Amur on Saturday (1:3).

Barys’ forward Justin Bailey is on a three-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points over that stretch.

Barys’ forward Brandon Morelli is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.

Barys’ forward Garret Pilon is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.

Injury list

Barys: Arkady Shestakov.

19:30: HC Sochi (0-3-0) vs CSKA (1-3-0).

About the game

HC Sochi enters the second game of a four-match home series following three straight defeats.

CSKA kicks off a five-game road trip on a two-match losing streak.

Milestone alert

CSKA’s forward Denis Zernov may reach 300 KHL points (currently at 298).