03 January 2024

Before the match Lokomotiv - Barys

Barys opens the program of matches in 2024 in Yaroslavl.

"Lokomotiv" is traditionally one of the leaders not only of the Western Conference, but of the entire League. In December, Igor Nikitin's wards won eight games out of nine, and before the game with Barys, the Yaroslavl team has a current successful streak of five consecutive games. Last round, the team defeated Dynamo Moscow 2-0 on home ice. Alexander Polunin, who had a double, and Daniil Isayev, who had 41 shots on goal, were the main heroes of the game.

Lokomotiv has 63 points after 44 matches. As of today, this is the second place in the West, but it is the Yaroslavl team that leads the conference in points lost - Spartak has played three more games to this point. The team's top scorer Maxim Shalunov has 28 (13+15) points. Daniil Isayev is among the top three regular season goalies in terms of reliability (1.75). Forward Egor Averin is on the injured list.

Barys ended 2023 with three consecutive victories. On Saturday, the Astana team handled Tractor (5:1). Arkadiy Shestakov scored a double, reaching the ten-goal mark for the first time in his career. David Sklenicka (six straight games with points), Rudolph Cerveny and Anthony Camara (six straight games with goals) each scored once more. Evgeni Rymarev scored his 50th point in the KHL. Edward Pasquale was credited with 25 saves.

With 37 points after 45 matches, the Kazakh team sits on the 11th line in the standings in the East. The participation of the team's top scorer Pontus Oberg (15+15) in the evening match is in question. Also, the training staff will not be able to use Batyrlan Muratov in the upcoming games. Both hockey players were injured in the duel with Traktor.

The meeting will start on the ice of the Arena-2000-Lokomotiv at 20:00 Astana time.

Live coverage on KHL and Qazsport TV channels.