End of part one

3 December 2024

This week brings the last KHL action before the pause for the Channel 1 Cup – which this year features former KRS head coach Mike Keenan at the helm of a KHL World Team of import stars. Before that, though, the Dragons have a trio of home games against opponents battling for playoff spots.

Neftekhimik (h), Dec. 4, 1930 Moscow Time

Last time out: We enjoyed a successful trip to Nizhnekamsk on Nov. 25, winning 3-1 on goals from Rourke Chartier, Spencer Foo and Adam Clendening.

Familiar faces: That game saw four ex-Dragons lining up against us: goalie Artyom Zagidulin and forward German Tochilkin both had loan spells with Kunlun, while defenseman Nikita Khlystov and forward Vyacheslav Leshchenko were permanent members of the team for a time.

Setting the scene: Historically, we do well against Neftekhimik. The Wolves are among the teams against which the Dragons has an all-time winning record, with 15 victories from 25 meetings. In our Eastern Conference days, the Tatar team was often a direct rival for a playoff spot – adding extra flavor to each encounter. That’s no longer the case, although this season once again Oleg Leontyev’s team is in the thick of the battle to make the top eight. At the time of writing, Neftekhimik is in seventh place but has played three or four games more than the teams in immediate pursuit.

Since our last meeting, Neftekhimik has played twice and both games finished tied at 3-3 in regulation. At home to Spartak, the Wolves blew a 3-1 lead before Jean-Sebastien Dea sank the Red-and-Whites in OT; at Vityaz two goals from Andrei Belozyorov could not prevent a shoot-out loss.

HC Sochi (h), Dec. 6, 1930 Moscow Time

Last time out: Sochi most recent trip to Mytishchi was a day to forget for the Dragons, ending in a 0-4 loss. On the road, last month saw a crazy game finish 5-5 in regulation – two goals from Luke Lockhart leading our charge. Sochi took that one in OT.

Familiar faces: The only current connection between the teams is Red Star defenseman Yury Pautov, who had two spells with Sochi in 2014/15 and 2021/22.

Setting the scene: The historic head-to-head is even more firmly in our favor, with 17 wins from 26 meetings so far. But after losing twice to the Leopards this season, we have a point to prove here. Plus, this is an important game to keep our guys off the foot of the Western Conference.

Under Sergei Zubov, Sochi looks more competitive than in recent seasons – something we’ve found to our cost already. But it’s an unpredictable team, capable of giving the top teams a real test, only to fold against seemingly weaker opposition. Artur Tyanulin continues to lead the scoring, while Daniil Seroukh has been in decent form lately. Veteran forward Alexander Khokhlachyov recently joined the Leopards and scored his first goal for the club on Monday in a game against his previous employer, Amur.

Sibir (h), Dec. 8 1700 Moscow Time

Last time out: An early-season visit to Novosibirsk ended in a 3-1 loss. At the time, our host was beginning its best run of form this season.

Familiar faces: Trevor Murphy made plenty of friends during his time with KRS and now he’s a key part of Sibir’s line-up. His effective two-way contribution has him out in front in team scoring this season. Canadian forward Taylor Beck is also likely to have a say in Sibir’s scoring race; he too was a popular figure during an earlier spell with Red Star.

Setting the scene: It’s been a frustrating season for Sibir under Vadim Yepanchintsev. A poor start brought just three goals in three games, although things improved with the first home stand. Indeed, for a time, Sibir was suddenly the form team in the KHL, only to slip back down the standings as quickly as it climbed. Currently, the Siberians have just three wins in the past 15 games and lie 10^th in the Eastern Conference, albeit just two points back from the top eight.

Part of the problem lies with the forwards. Defenseman Murphy is the team’s leading scorer with 27 points this season. Veteran forward Sergei Shirokov is next on the list with 19 but nobody seems able to compile a consistent scoring streak. In addition, there have been goaltending questions. Anton Krasotkin, last season’s first choice, has missed several games due to injury and loss of form. Dmitry Lozebnikov was signed from Amur to add depth to the netminding and challenge Krasotkin and his fellow goalie Denis Kostin. So far, though, Lozebnikov has not played.