Avangard Omsk vs CSKA Prediction
🔊 The second game in the series between Avangard and CSKA is up next. How will the visitors respond to their second shutout loss in the current playoffs? According to coaches and players, adjustments will be made swiftly. We'll find out on April 10, but for now, let's delve into statistical trends and the teams' head-to-head history to offer you the most insightful prediction for the second match of the second round of the Gagarin Cup 2026.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over the past three seasons, Avangard and CSKA have faced off seven times, with the Omsk side winning six matches and the Moscow team claiming just one victory. The "Army Men" have been unable to defeat the "Hawks" in regulation time for ten consecutive games, including friendlies. On their opponent's ice, CSKA have not won in regulation time for eight straight games, recently falling in the first game of the series without scoring a single goal (0-3).
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Avangard Omsk Team Overview
The Omsk club has significantly improved their defensive performance, shutting out CSKA in the first game and not conceding a single goal for the first time since March 4, across their last 12 games. Avangard's scoring in the current playoffs is impressive, averaging 3.33 goals scored and 1.83 goals conceded per game.
In Omsk, the "Hawks" have avoided regulation-time losses for eight consecutive games, including regular-season matches. Their home performance in the Gagarin Cup sees them averaging 3.25 goals scored and 2.00 conceded. Guy Boucher's team has netted at least three goals in six straight home games.
With six power-play goals, the Siberian club remains one of the most effective in this format, boasting a power-play conversion rate of 30.0%, the best among the remaining eight teams in the competition. In penalty killing, Avangard has conceded five goals, with a penalty kill success rate of 77.3%, ranking them only ninth in the tournament.
Match Results: Avangard Omsk
CSKA Moscow Team Overview
The Moscow club has gone scoreless for the second time in the current playoffs, yet they remain one of the highest-scoring teams in the tournament. On average, CSKA nets 2.67 goals per game while conceding 2.00.
On the road, Igor Nikitin's squad showcases consistent defensive play-over their last 21 away games, the "Army Men" have never allowed more than three goals. However, their scoring outside the Russian capital during these playoffs is less impressive, with just 1.33 goals scored and 2.00 conceded.
In power plays, the Moscow "Army Men" have managed only two goals, with a conversion rate of 13.3%-ranking them 13th in the tournament. They've conceded three times while shorthanded, with a penalty kill success rate of just 72.7%, placing them 14th in this year's competition.
Match Results: CSKA Moscow
Latest news
Avangard Omsk
💬 Avangard's head coach Guy Boucher: "In the regular season, we defeated CSKA 2-1 and 2-0; those were very tight games. Throughout the series, the teams will adapt to each other, with each game being a new story. This series will be intense and physical, and we are well-prepared for it. We have plenty of players who excel in physical hockey."
❌ Forward Ivan Igumnov is out for the rest of the season after sustaining an injury in the opening playoff games. Semyon Chistyakov had to leave the first game of the series early following a hit from Klim Kostin. The coaching staff is uncertain if the defenseman will return before the series concludes.
↔️ Following their victory over Neftekhimik, Guy Boucher made no changes to the lineup ahead of the new series. However, it seems likely that a new partner for defenseman Artyom Blazhievsky will need to be found for the second game.
CSKA Moscow
💬 CSKA head coach Igor Nikitin: "Unfortunately, we continued playing as if we were still in the previous series. But this is a different team, with experience and skill. If you're waiting for your opponent to make a mistake, get in line. When an opponent plays with a clear objective, you need to force them into errors."
❌ CSKA's injury list still includes defenseman Vladislav Provolnev, who hasn't played for several months, and forward Danila Moiseev, who has missed the entire season.
↔️ In the first game, Klim Kostin took a spot on the top forward line, facing his former club, while Denis Guryanov moved down to the second line. Forward Takhir Mingachev was left out of the lineup, replaced by Alexey Churkin in the fourth forward line.
⚡️ Leaders
The top scorers for Avangard in the first round quickly reinforced their status in the game against CSKA. Konstantin Okulov netted twice, accumulating 9 (6+3) points in the series, while Michael McLeod (1+5) scored his first playoff goal, catching up with Nikolay Prokhorkin (5+1) in the scoring race. McLeod extended his point streak to four games.
From CSKA, the top scorers in the 2026 Gagarin Cup include the tournament's leading sniper Denis Guryanov (6+1) and the playoffs' primary playmaker Nikolai Kovalenko (1+6). The third top scorer for the Moscow side, Maxim Sorkin, has 5 (2+3) points in the playoffs. Following the first round, the KHL named Guryanov the best forward of the stage.
🥅 Goalies
For the fourth consecutive playoff, Nikita Serebryakov records at least one shutout. In the last game, the Avangard goalie stopped all 19 shots from CSKA. Serebryakov improved his save percentage to 93.4% (11th in the tournament) and his goals-against average to 1.87 (9th in the tournament). In 5 out of 6 games this playoff season, the Hawks' netminder posted a save percentage over 90%.
CSKA's Dmitry Gamzin had an outstanding series. Remarkably, the Army team goalie has not allowed more than two goals in a game for 32 consecutive matches. It's worth noting that the third goal by the Siberians was scored into an empty net. Gamzin ranks ninth in the tournament for save percentage (93.5%) and eighth for goals-against average (1.74).
Editorial Prediction
It's clear that CSKA's preparation level and Igor Nikitin's expertise allow for quick adjustments. In playoff games, the Moscow club has responded to defeats with at least two goals in 5 out of the next 6 matches after failing to score previously. Considering they have netted two or more goals in 9 of their last 11 games, including regular season matchups, a wise choice for the second game of the series would be CSKA's individual total over 1.5 goals.
Betting Tips: Avangard Omsk - CSKA Moscow
in 6 of last 7 games against CSKA Moscow (KHL).in last 6 home games against CSKA Moscow (KHL).in 12 of last 13 games against CSKA Moscow (KHL).in last 10 games (KHL).in 9 of last 10 home games (KHL).in 9 of last 10 away games (KHL).in 7 of last 8 games (KHL).in last 9 games against CSKA Moscow (KHL).in last 8 home games against CSKA Moscow (KHL).in last 11 games (KHL).in last 8 home games (KHL).
