It’s an Eastern showdown in today’s KHL matchday!
The KHL Thursday starts in the Far East, with Amur facing Magnitka being surprisingly ahead in the standings. The Tigers had a good start of the season, and are currently the third seed in the East. Metallurg follows close – both teams won their previous game and will want to stretch the positive series.
Half an hour later, Admiral hosts Salavat Yulaev. The sensation in the standings here is no smaller, as the Sailors are ahead of Ufa in the Eastern standings, something that seemed unthinkable before the start.
In the remaining game of the matchday, Avangard will seek its first win of the season in Kazakhstan. However, it won’t be easy – Barys’ head coach Andrei Skabelka will be well-motivated against his former team. The Belarusian specialist led the Hawks in the 2017-2018 KHL season.
12:00: Amur (3-2-0, 3rd E) vs Metallurg (2-1-2, 4th E)
About the game
Amur plays the second of a five-game home series and won its previous couple of matches.
Metallurg starts a four-game road trip fresh off a win over Spartak on Saturday (2:1 OT).
The Far East side has already defeated Magnitka this year (5:4 OT).
Amur’s rookie forward Yaroslav Likhachyov has scored a goal in each of his previous three games.
Metallurg’s forward Nikolai Goldobin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Amur: Artyom Alyayev, Cameron Lee, Vadim Pereskokov, Sergei Tereshchenko.
Metallurg: Arkhip Nekolenko, Anatoly Nikontsev.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s defenseman Ilya Khokhlov lines up for his 300th KHL game tonight.
12:30: Admiral (2-2-1, 5th E) vs Salavat Yulaev (2-2-1, 6th E)
About the game
Admiral plays the second of a five-game home series and is fresh off a win over Kunlun Red Star on Sunday (3:1).
Salavat Yulaev starts a four-game road trip and lost to Spartak on Monday (1:3).
Admiral’s forward Alexander Gorshkov and Salavat Yulaev’s forward Sergei Shmelyov are on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Admiral: Svyatoslav Grebenshchikov, Yury Pautov, Yegor Rykov.
Salavat Yulaev: Josh Ho-Sang.
Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Stepan Sannikov may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 199).
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Stanislav Bocharov may tally his 100th KHL goal (currently at 99).
16:30: Barys (1-3-1, 9th E) vs Avangard (0-4-1, 10th E)
About the game
Barys enters the second of a five-game home series fresh off a win over Traktor on Tuesday (3:1) – its first victory of the season.
Avangard plays the sixth of a twelve-game road trip and is yet to achieve a win this season, having lost its first five matches.
Avangard’s defenseman Alexei Bereglazov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Milestone alert
Barys’ forward Linden Vey may reach the 150-assist milestone (currently at 149).
His linemate, forward Nikita Mikhailis, may get his 100th KHL assist (currently at 99).
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov may reach 100 KHL points tonight (currently at 99).
Source: en.khl.ru
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