Amur hosts Neftekhimik; first clash between CSKA and SKA

Amur look to strengthen their playoff position against in-form Neftekhimik in the Far East, while CSKA and SKA meet in Moscow for the first time this season in a First Teams’ Cup clash. Both games feature teams in strong form, making for an intriguing two-game matchday.

The matchday starts with a showdown in the Far East between Amur and Neftekhimik. Following three consecutive wins, against Lada (7-3), Barys (6-3), and Admiral (5-3), the Wolves are currently among the best teams in the Eastern Conference’s standings. The Tigers are in good form too, with three wins in the last five matches. After two straight losses, to Severstal (1-4) and CSKA (0-2), Amur bounced back with a strong home win over Gagarin Cup champion Lokomotiv on Friday (3-1). The Tigers are now into the East’s top eight, and will be seeking points to retain their position in the table.

Next up is the first clash in the new season between two Western giants, CSKA and SKA. The game will be counting for the First Teams’ Cup standings. Both sides enter today’s confrontation in top form. The Muscovites won their previous five matches, over HC Sochi (4-0), Torpedo (3-2), Admiral (4-3 SO), Amur (2-0), and Lada (5-0), showing both defensive prowess and a productive offensive game. SKA is however also showcasing an excellent performance, with four straight wins, against HC Sochi (1-0), the Shanghai Dragons (7-2), Traktor (4-3), and Barys. CSKA’s goalies are in good shape, collecting two consecutive shutouts, but SKA’s powerful offense seems always able to find space even against the tightest defense – it will be a must-watch game for the crowd at the CSKA Arena in Moscow.

12:00: Amur (3-4-1, 8^th E) vs Neftekhimik (7-2-1, 2^nd E)
About the game

Amur wraps up a five-game home series following a win over Lokomotiv on Friday (3-1).

Neftekhimk ends a three-game road trip on a three-match winning streak.

Neftekhimik’s forward Ivan Nikolishin is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (1+5) points over that stretch.

Neftekhimik’s forward Andrei Belozyorov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 7 (2+5) points.

Neftekhimik’s forward Damir Zhafyarov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 8 (5+3) points.

Neftekhimik’s forward Alexander Petunin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.

Neftekhimik’s forward Matvei Nadvorny is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.

Neftekhimik’s forward German Tochilkin scored a goal in each of his previous three matches.

Injury list

Amur: Alexander Dergachyov, Danila Galenyuk, Alexei Krutov, Yegor Rykov.

Milestone alert

Amur’s defenseman Vyacheslav Voynov may reach 250 points in the KHL (currently at 249).

Neftekhimik’s forward Rafael Bikmullin may score his 100^th career point (currently at 99).

Neftekhimik’s forwards Ivan Nikolishin and Andrei Belozyorov may reach 100 assists in the KHL, with the former being currently at 99 and the latter at 98.

19:30: CSKA (6-3-0, 3^rd W) vs SKA (7-1-0, 2^nd W)

About the game

CSKA plays the lone home game of the series on a five-match winning streak.

SKA wraps up a three-game road trip after four consecutive wins.

CSKA’s goalie Dmitry Gamzin is on a 66:26 shutout streak, while Alexander Samonov is at 63:44.

SKA’s defenseman Daniil Miromanov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (1+5) points over that stretch.

SKA’s forward Scott Wilson is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points.

SKA’s forward Matvei Korotky is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.