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October kicks off with three games
The first matchday of the month features three Western games, with Severstal taking on Admiral, Dinamo Minsk hosting CSKA, and Dynamo Moscow battling out with Torpedo in a First Teams’ Cup showdown.
The Cherepovets side had a hard time in scoring and winning games midway through September, but now it looks like the worst times are history as the Steelers won the last three games. After a shutout loss to today’s opponent, Admiral (0-2), Severstal managed to score, and didn’t stop, accumulating wins over Amur (4-1), Avtomobilist (5-2), and HC Sochi (3-1) as the team will want to climb up in the standings, being now off the playoff places. After defeating the Steelers, Admiral had an opposite path, losing three in a row to CSKA (3-4 SO), Lokomotiv (1-2), and Neftekhimik (3-5). The Sailors will look out for a victory to revert the trend and start their road trip on a positive note.
Another exciting game is scheduled in Belarus, with Dinamo Minsk taking on CSKA. The two teams met in the playoffs two years ago, with the Bison celebrating a 4-2 win in the first-round series, and the games are traditionally exciting encounters. Today’s game should be no different, with Dinamo Minsk fresh off a win over Lada on Monday (5-4) and CSKA being on a six-win run, enhanced by a huge win over SKA on Tuesday (6-5). The Muscovites are currently the second team in the Western Conference’s standings, and they will want to avoid stopping now, but the Belarusians will also do their best to snatch a win. Dinamo Minsk will however be without productive forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel. The Canadian had four goals in his first seven KHL games.
Closing out an exciting matchday is a clash between Dynamo Moscow and Torpedo. With the team also competing for the First Teams’ Cup’s standings, it will also mean that the fans at the VTB Arena will have a chance to see the teams competing with alternate jerseys. The Blue-and-Whites enter today’s game not in the best form, with four losses in the last five matches. Their lone win in the period was a 4-3 OT victory over Dinamo Minsk last week, followed by two straight losses, to Salavat Yulaev (1-3) and Traktor (1-2 OT). Torpedo has equally lost its latest game, also to Salavat Yulaev (0-3), but has three wins in the same timeframe and is upper in the standings. With both teams seeking a win, it will be an exciting showdown in Moscow.
19:30: Severstal (4-4-1, 9th W) vs Admiral (2-5-2, 9th E)
About the game
Severstal enters the third game of a four-match home series on a three-game winning streak.
Admiral, who defeated Severstal earlier in the season (2-0), kicks off a four-game road trip on a three-match losing streak.
Severstal’s forward Denis Yan is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points over that stretch.
Severstal’s forward Ruslan Abrosimov had at least an assist in each of his previous three matches, totaling five helpers.
Severstal’s defenseman Timofei Davydov had also at least an assist in each of his previous three games, but totaled four.
Admiral’s forward Yegor Chezganov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points over that span.
Admiral’s forward Daniel Usmanov had an assist in each of his previous three games.
Injury list
Severstal: Nikolai Burenov, Adam Liska.
Admiral: Ivan Kulbakov, Artyom Pimenov, Vladislav Tsitsyura.
Milestone alert
Severstal’s forward Ilya Ivantsov may reach 100 career points (currently at 98).
Admiral’s defenseman Semyon Ibragimov lines up for his 100th league appearance.
19:30: Dinamo Minsk (3-2-4, 8th W) vs CSKA (7-3-0, 2nd W)
About the game
Dinamo Minsk enters the second game of a five-match home series following a win over Lada on Monday (5-4).
CSKA plays the lone road game of the series on a six-match winning streak.
CSKA’s goalie Dmitry Gamzin is on a 66:26 shutout streak.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Alex Limoges, Nicolas Meloche.
Milestone alert
Dinamo Minsk’s goalie Zach Fucale may record his 100th KHL win, while Vasily Demchenko may reach 40 league shutouts.
CSKA’s forward Denis Guryanov lines up for his 200th league appearance.
CSKA’s forward Ivan Drozdov may dish out his 100th career assist (currently at 99).
19:30: Dynamo Moscow (5-5-1, 7th W) vs Torpedo (6-3-0, 4th W)
About the game
Dynamo Moscow wraps up a five-game home series on a two-match losing streak.
Torpedo starts a three-game road trip after a loss to Salavat Yulaev on Monday (0-3).
Torpedo’s goalie Dmitry Shugayev is on a 60:43 shutout streak.
Injury list
Dynamo Moscow: Yegor Rimashevsky, Nikita Tertyshny.
Torpedo: Matvei Polyakov.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Dylan Sykura may reach 100 league points (currently at 98).
Dynamo Moscow’s goalie Maxim Motorygin may record his 10th career shutout.
Torpedo’s forward Amir Garayev may also reach 100 points in the KHL (currently at 99).
