Preview: Barys vs. Sibir, KHL

NOVOSIBIRSK, Russia (Interstat) — The struggling Barys Astana will face a Sibir Novosibirsk squad finding its form in a Kontinental Hockey League matchup on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Ice Sports Palace Sibir.

The visiting Barys enter with the league’s worst record at 20-45, having lost 10 of their last 11 games. They are coming off a 6-2 home loss to Admiral Vladivostok on Monday. The home side, Sibir, sits at 29-38 and has won three of its last four, including an impressive 4-1 victory over SKA Saint Petersburg on Wednesday.

Recent history favors Sibir in this series. The teams have met five times this season, with Sibir earning points in four of those contests (3-0-2). The last two meetings in December both resulted in Sibir victories.

A key player to watch for Barys is forward Tyce Thompson, who has goals in two of his last three games, including a goal and three shots in Monday’s loss. He leads a Barys attack that has been shut out twice in its last five outings.

For Sibir, forward Mikhail B. Abramov has been a catalyst during the team’s recent surge. He has scored goals in two consecutive games, including a goal on four shots in the win over SKA. Goaltender Anton Krasotkin, who made 29 saves in that victory, is expected to start.

Barys will need to solve its defensive woes to have a chance; the team has allowed four or more goals in seven of its last 10 games. Sibir, meanwhile, has shown resilience, winning tight games and playing competitively against top clubs recently.

The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time in Novosibirsk.