Back On The Road

Cherepovets. Togliatti. Moscow. After a perfect four-game homestand, the Shanghai Dragons are back on the road for three games in five days — at Severstal, Lada and Dynamo Moscow.

The first stop comes Saturday, Oct. 3, at Ice Palace in Cherepovets. Puck drop is set for 5:00 p.m. Moscow time, 10:00 a.m. ET and 7:00 a.m. PT.

Shanghai enters the trip in its best form of the season. Mitch Love’s team has won four straight games and finished its first homestand a perfect 4-0, capped by a 4-1 win over Eastern Conference leader Metallurg.

Now the question changes: can the Dragons take their best hockey with them?

GAME AT A GLANCE

SHANGHAI LEAVES HOME WITH MOMENTUM

Four home games produced four regulation wins: 3-2 over Avtomobilist, 2-1 over Dinamo Minsk, 4-1 over HC Sochi and 4-1 over Metallurg.

The latest may have been the most complete. David Chen scored his first KHL goal, Riley Sutter added another, Takhir Mingachyov restored the two-goal cushion in the third period and Nate Sucese finished it into an empty net.

For once, Shanghai did not need a comeback or overtime heroics. The Dragons scored, defended the lead and closed the game against one of the league’s hottest teams.

That is the version of Shanghai Love now wants to see away from SKA Arena.

SEVERSTAL HAS ALREADY LIVED THROUGH TWO DIFFERENT SEASONS

Andrei Kozyrev’s team opened the year in turbulent fashion. After an 8-0 loss to Spartak, Severstal went three consecutive games without scoring.

Then the switch flipped: 4-1 over Amur, 5-2 over Avtomobilist and 3-1 over Sochi — three straight wins and 12 goals.

That streak ended Oct. 1 against Admiral, but only after Severstal rallied from 3-1 down to force overtime. Vladimir Grudinin and Alexander Skorenov tied the game in the third period before Admiral won 4-3 in the shootout.

The result was a reminder that Severstal’s early inconsistency has not changed its identity: speed, movement and pressure remain at the center of Kozyrev’s hockey.

FAMILIAR FACE: NIKITA POPUGAEV

The most obvious reunion storyline belongs to Nikita Popugaev.

The 6-foot-6 forward was still a Shanghai Dragon in September before moving to Severstal. He has already become part of Cherepovets’ power play and made an impact in the latest game against Admiral with a goal and an assist.

Saturday will be his first game against his former team.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

SHANGHAI DRAGONS

BRENNAN MENELL 8 GP | 2 G | 7 A

Nine points make Menell Shanghai’s leading scorer. Against a team built around pressure and pace, his first pass may be the Dragons’ most important weapon.

RILEY SUTTER 4 GP | 3 G | 3 A

Six points in four games since returning to the lineup. Sutter has quickly given Shanghai another productive center and has developed real chemistry with Brett Murray.

DAVID CHEN 8 GP | 1 G | 2 A

Chen scored his first KHL goal against Metallurg, added an assist and was voted Shanghai’s player of the game by his teammates. Now comes the challenge of carrying that confidence onto the road.

SEVERSTAL

NIKITA POPUGAEV

The former Dragon is already seeing power-play time and just posted a goal and an assist against Admiral. Few players on the ice will know Shanghai’s personnel better.

ALEXANDER SKORENOV

Skorenov scored the 3-3 equalizer against Admiral and remains one of the forwards Severstal relies on to create speed and offense in transition.

VLADIMIR GRUDININ

The young defenseman plays heavy minutes and is increasingly involved in the attack. His third-period goal started Severstal’s comeback in the last game.

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. HANDLE THE SPEED

Severstal wants the game moving. A poor breakout pass or a long defensive-zone shift can turn into an attack the other way almost instantly. Shanghai’s improved puck management will be tested.

2. SPECIAL TEAMS

Shanghai scored twice on the power play against Metallurg. Severstal scored two of its three goals against Admiral with the man advantage. Discipline and execution may decide the night.

3. SWITCH TO ROAD MODE FAST

Shanghai just spent four games at home with no travel between them. Now comes Cherepovets, Togliatti and Moscow in five days. Short shifts, depth and minute management suddenly matter much more.

THE FINAL WORD

The homestand showed what the new Shanghai Dragons can look like at their best.

Four straight wins. Four regulation victories at SKA Arena. Twelve points through eight games. A statement win over Metallurg.

Now comes a different test.

Cherepovets. Togliatti. Moscow. Three games in five days.

Severstal is first — a team that has already gone from three straight shutout losses to three straight wins, and now adds the extra storyline of Popugaev facing his former club.

Shanghai has momentum. The road will test whether it also has staying power.

Home showed who Shanghai can be. Now the road will show whether the Dragons can be that team anywhere.

Shanghai Dragons Media Relations