499 and counting

30 September 2024

It’s amazing the difference one game can make. Before Sunday, it was hard to feel too positive about life in the Dragons’ Lair. But a spectacular win over SKA provided a much-needed jolt of confidence for everyone around the club. The flight from St. Petersburg to Ufa for Game 500 in KRS history was a much happier affair and we’re all looking forward to more good times in week five of the season.

Salavat Yulaev (a), Oct. 1, 1700 Moscow Time

Last season: It was one win apiece last time around, and both games went to the visitor. Our 2-1 success in Ufa in January was down to goals from Gemel Smith and Spencer Foo, plus 35 saves from Matt Jurusik.

Familiar faces: none

Setting the scene: Beware Josh Leivo. The Canadian forward is on a 14-game productive run that takes in all eight appearances this season and the whole of last year’s playoff campaign. Thus, we have to go back to Feb. 26 for the last time he left the ice without a point. In that time, the 31-year-old produced 20 (8+12) points, often in partnership with Alexander Chmelevski. However, it’s a little difficult to assess how strong Viktor Kozlov’s team is at present. Fifth in the East doesn’t sound too special, but Ufa has only played eight games. Six of them ended in victory, although two of those went beyond regulation. Moreover, Salavat’s victims include both Avtomobilist and Ak Bars, currently first and second in the East, and overall KHL leader Lokomotiv. Thus far, every opponent has been a team with a solid reputation; the only losses came against defending champion Metallurg and in the return game at Avto.

Vityaz Moscow Region (a), Oct. 3, 1930 Moscow Time

Last season: We enjoyed three wins from four meetings with Vityaz last season. Our most recent visit to Balashikha brought a 4-2 verdict at the start of February, with two goals from Luke Lockhart backed up by snipes from Tyler Graovac and Tyler Wong.

Familiar faces: That Graovac goal proved to be the winner against his former club: Gravy lined up for Vityaz in 2022/23, contributing 20 points to help reach the playoffs. Additionally, defenseman Yury Pautov played 99 games in three seasons with Vityaz. In the opposition ranks, we remember Ruslan Pedan’s 36 games with us in the 2020/21 season, when he played in front of current Vityaz goalie Dmitry Shikin.

Setting the scene: At the time of writing, we’re tied with Vityaz on eight points and both teams are just outside the Western playoff places. The only thing that gives our opponent the edge is that all four of its wins came in regulation and one of ours was in OT. In recent games, Ivan Chekhovich has been a big figure. The forward arrived from Lokomotiv right at the start of the season and the move seems to be doing him good. He has 5 (4+1) points from his past five games and has a share of the lead for team scoring alongside Derek Barach and Dmitry Buchelnikov. Youngster Buchelnikov is looking to establish himself this season after joining Vityaz. Previously owned by SKA but loaned out last season, he’s showing signs of being the team’s leading playmaker with seven assists in 10 games so far.