Barys look to build on statement win in Yaroslavl, three games on tap today

Three games are scheduled for today, as the Shanghai Dragons face Avtomobilist in St. Petersburg, while Torpedo and Avangard meet at the VOLGA Arena in Nizhny Novgorod. The matchday closes with Dynamo Moscow hosting Barys, who arrive in the capital after a sensational 5-0 win over Lokomotiv in Yaroslavl.

In St. Petersburg, the Shanghai Dragons face Avtomobilist. The Chinese franchise had an okay start to the season, with two wins and two losses in its first four games. The Dragons alternated wins (5-4 OT over Avtomobilist, 4-3 OT over Dinamo Minsk) to losses (1-3 Lokomotiv, 2-7 to SKA), and perhaps they will manage to bounce back after the tough defeat to SKA in the city derby. The Motormen won twice in the first four matches, but then accumulated to straight losses, to Avangard (2-3 OT) and Dinamo Minsk (3-5), respectively.  Uncertainty will be key in this exciting showdown in the Russian northern capital.

In Nizhny Novgorod, Torpedo welcomes Avangard. After a 3-2 win over Ak Bars in the first game at the brand-new VOLGA Arena, Torpedo loss to CSKA (2-3). It was only the second loss this season for the Nizhny Novgorod franchise. After their win over Avtomobilist last week, the Hawks lost twice in a row, to Lokomotiv (1-2) and Traktor (1-2), respectively. Torpedo sits right out of the top four in the Western Conference, while Avangard is the eighth seed in the East.

Closing out a quiet KHL Tuesday is Dynamo Moscow facing Barys. The Kazakhs are one of the surprises of the season, and have just sensationally blanked Lokomotiv in Yaroslavl (5-0). With their thumping of Lada (6-0) and a loss to Metallurg (0-3), they have two wins in their last three games with a chance to further improve their record as they face Dynamo Moscow today. The Blue-and-Whites had a good streak earlier in the season, but went away from the Far East with one win in two games as they defeated Admiral (3-2) but lost to Amur (0-4). With Dynamo Moscow willing to bounce back after a loss to the Tigers and Barys looking to build on their sensational triumph in Yaroslavl, the fans in Moscow are expected to be treated to an exciting game. After today’s game Barys will fly back to Astana for the next couple of matches.

19:30: Shanghai Dragons (2-2-0) vs Avtomobilist (2-2-2)

About the game

The Shanghai Dragons start a four-game home series following a loss to SKA on Sept. 5 (2-7).

Avtomobilist enters the fifth match of a seven-game road trip on a two-match losing streak.

Shanghai Dragons’ defenseman Brennan Menell is on a four-game scoring streak, with 7 (2+5) points over that stretch.

Avtomobilist’s forward Alexander Sharov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.

Avtomobilist’s forward Adam Ruzicka had at least an assist in each of his previous three matches, totaling four helpers.

Avtomobilist’s forwards Alexander Barabanov and Maxim Denezhkin are also on a three-game scoring streak, both with 3 (2+1) points over that span.

Injury list

Shanghai Dragons: Martin Frk.

Avtomobilist: Nikita Shashkov.

Milestone alert

Avtomobilist’s forward Alexander Barabanov may reach 300 KHL points (currently at 297).

19:30: Torpedo (4-2-0) vs Avangard (3-3-0)

About the game

Torpedo is in the middle of a five-game home series and lost to CSKA on Friday (2-3).

Avangard enters the third game of a four-match road trip on a two-match losing streak.

Torpedo’s forward Daniil Seroukh scored at least a goal in each of his latest three matches, totaling six tallies.

Torpedo’s forward Mikhail Vorobyov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that stretch.

Torpedo’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.

Injury list

Torpedo: Matvei Polyakov, Nikita Shavin.

Avangard: Maxime Lajoie, Pavel Leuka, Michael McLeod, Nikolai Prokhorkin, Damir Sharipzyanov, Alexander Volkov.

Milestone alert

Torpedo’s forward Amir Garayev may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 99).

19:30: Dynamo Moscow (4-3-0) vs Barys (4-2-0)

About the game

Dynamo Moscow kicks off a five-game home series following a loss to Amur on Saturday (0-4).

Barys wraps up a four-game road trip after a huge win over Lokomotiv on Sunday (5-0).

Barys’ goalie Andrei Shutov is on a 109:57 shutout streak.

Injury list

Dynamo Moscow: Nikita Tertyshny.

Milestone alert

Dynamo Moscow’s goalie Maxim Motorygin may record his 10^th KHL shutout.