Game seven in Ufa, Yaroslavl
Today’s matchday will treat the fans with two game seven in the same day – that’s a rarity and a can’t-miss opportunity. Salavat Yulaev welcomes Spartak after forcing a seventh game with an OT win in game six, while Avangard travels to Lokomotiv after blanking the Railwaymen 3:0 on Monday. Today’s games promise excitation and drama – and a lot on stake.
17:00: Salavat Yulaev vs Spartak
Series stand
3-3 (4:1, 4:5 ОТ, 2:4, 2:6, 4:3 ОТ, 2:1 ОТ).
About the game
Spartak missed the chance to secure its place in the Gagarin Cup semifinals for the first time after falling to Salavat Yulaev on home ice. The visitor had two heroes in game six’s win in the capital. Alexei Vasilevsky potted the winning goal in OT to prolong this second-round battle. But before that, goalie Semyon Vyazovoi, winning the starting goalie position over Alexander Samonov, produced 40 saves to frustrate the home forwards and keep his team in contention. Spartak’s leaders went silent in the game, and Demid Mansuro fed Sergei Lukyantsev for the Red-and-Whites’ lone goal. Salavat Yulaev was without Joshua Leivo, and in extra time Dennis Yan – a threat throughout the whole series – brought the puck in the offensive zone for the play that led to Vasilevsky’s deciding snipe. It will be the first game seven for Spartak in the KHL history, with Salavat Yulaev instead boasting an encouraging 7-2 record.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Gleb Kuzmin, Nathan Todd.
Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Dennis Yan lines up for his 200th league appearance.
Spartak’s goalie Dmitry Nikolayev may record his 10th KHL shutout.
19:30: Lokomotiv vs Avangard
Series stand
3-3 (1:4, 4:1, 6:2, 2:1 ОТ, 2:3, 0:3).
About the game
In game six, Nikita Serebryakov posted a key performance with 32 saves, and late markers from Nail Yakupov and Reid Boucher secured a critical win for the Hawks. Moreover, Serebryakov managed to do what last year seemed to be unthinkable – look better than Daniil Isayev. The Railwaymen’s goalie was again far from being perfect as he only made thirteen stops in game six. While he excelled in Lokomotiv’s wins, Isayev posted a save percentage below 90.0% when the Hawks raised their level and secured victories. The duel between Serebryakov and Isayev will be key in game seven – that is, if Igor Nikitin won’t opt for Alexei Melnichuk. With Boucher having the final word with an empty-netter in the closing stages of the sixth game, the scene in Yaroslavl is set for the second decisive game of a memorable day. Both teams are on losing records in game seven. Lokomotiv is 3-4, while the Hawks are 4-6.
Avangard’s goalie Nikita Serebryakov enters the decisive game on an 81:29 shutout streak.
Avangard’s forward Konstantin Okulov had an assist in each of his previous three games.
Injury list
Lokomotiv: Stepan Nikulin.
Avangard: Sergei Boikov, Michael McLeod.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s defenseman Rushan Rafikov and forward Alexander Polunin may score their 200th league point (Rafikov is currently at 199, while Polunin is at 198).
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk may record his 10th KHL shutout.
Avangard’s forward Danil Bashkirov may line up for his 300th league appearance.
Avangard’s goalie Nikita Serebryakov may record his 20th shutout in the KHL.
