Dragons at the Ice Palace for intriguing contest

A fascinating showdown awaits in Saint Petersburg this evening, as SKA host the Shanghai Dragons in a vital clash which could have major ramifications with regard to the ongoing battle for playoff qualification slots.

REVAMPED WITH AMBITIOUS GOALS

Shanghai are the KHL's surprise package of the campaign so far. However, when you consider their lofty ambitions and smart signings, their solid results shouldn’t really come as a shock.

Previously known as Kunlun Red Star, the Chinese outfit built a reputation as one of the Western Conference’s rank outsiders. But, following a brand overhaul during the summer and a change of management, they’ve turned the tables around and become one of the league’s most dangerous teams.

Simply being competitive isn’t enough; Shanghai have set the target of asserting themselves as a leading KHL club. Since moving to Saint Petersburg’s SKA Arena from Mytishchi in the off-season, the Dragons have indeed shaken off their unwanted status as the championship’s whipping boys, regularly slaying illustrious opponents while displaying superb ice hockey in the process.

Gerard Gallant has undoubtedly been a huge reason behind Shanghai’s sharp rise. The vastly experienced 62-year-old Canadian, who previously coached the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and New York Rangers in the NHL, quickly instilled a winning mentality with his new employers, helping the team to gel and creating an environment which inspires the players to strive for more.

While Shanghai’s squad is predictably full of North American representatives, former SKA forwards Borna Rendulic and Nikita Popugayev make up two of their top four scorers, amassing a combined total of 34 points. It’s no surprise to see Nick Merkley performing so well with 16 points on the board, but few expected American defenseman Adam Clendening to be Shanghai’s third top scorer with 16 points from 20 appearances.

Interestingly, attack-minded defenseman Joseph Duszak still remains in second spot of Shanghai’s most productive defensemen with eight assists to his name, but the 28-year-old recently departed the Chinese organisation and signed for Nizhnekamsk.

Ex-Spartak Moscow and Dinamo Minsk figure Patrik Rybar has provided Shanghai with much-needed reliability between the pipes. Further forward, gifted 29-year-old forward Kevin LaBanc is one to watch, with the American having gained seven points across only eight games since making the switch from the NHL. It’s worth pointing out that LaBanc tallied a minimum of 30 points in four out of his seven seasons with the San Jose Sharks.

Currently occupying seventh position of the conference with 25 points, Shanghai are admittedly coming into this game on the back of six defeats from their last seven matches. They have already beaten SKA this season, though, defeating our team by a score of 7:4 in an 11-goal thriller in the campaign’s opening game.

LEADERS*

GOALKEEPERS

Patrik Rybar: 16 matches, 7 wins, 91.6% save percentage, 2.82 GAA, 1 shutout

Andrei Kareyev: 6 matches, 3 wins, 92.1% save percentage, 3.00 GAA

Andrei Tikhomirov: 2 matches, 0 wins, 92.6% save percentage, 2.71 GAA

DEFENSEMEN

Adam Clendening: 16 (2+14) points, +4

Will Reilly: 5 (2+3) points, +1

Doyle Somerby: 4 (1+3) points, +1

FORWARDS

Borna Rendulic: 19 (9+10) points, +2

Nick Merkley: 16 (8+8) points, -1

Nikita Popugayev: 15 (8+7) points, +11

*Players on Shanghai’s books at the time of writing

SPECIAL TEAMS

PP

71 attempts, 17 goals, 23.9% conversion rate, 7^th place

PK

84 penalties, 19 conceded goals, 77.4% success rate, 16^th place

WHERE TO WATCH

Puck-drop is scheduled for 19:30 local time. You can purchase a live video broadcast on the KHL’s official website, whereas text updates are available on our official X account.