Norilsk vs Yugra Prediction 14 April 2025
📢 Can the Khanty-Mansiysk team secure their third consecutive victory? Both home games went in favor of the "Mammoths." The series now shifts to Norilsk, where Vladimir Gusev's squad triumphed three times over Verkhnyaya Pyshma's Gornyak in the first round of the playoffs.
Head-to-Head
Since 2023, the teams have faced off in six official matches. The Norilsk side has claimed three victories (5-4 OT; 4-2; 4-3 OT), while the Khanty-Mansiysk team has also secured three wins (5-1; 2-1; 3-1).
Two months ago, the "Bears" edged out the "Mammoths" on home ice with a 4-3 overtime victory. Forward Danila Dyadenkin emerged as the hero of the match, tallying 2 points, including the overtime winner. It's worth noting that Dyadenkin struggled in the series against Gornyak and was not included in the lineup for the playoff matches against the "Mammoths".
Friday's game in Khanty-Mansiysk ended in a low-scoring affair for the second time, with a 3-1 scoreline. The 25-year-old forward Nikita Goncharov scored in his second consecutive match.
Head-to-head statistics Norilsk - Yugra
Norilsk Team Overview
In the first round of the 2025 playoffs, the Bears overcame Gornyak with a 4-2 series victory. Apart from a disastrous game on April 2nd (a 1-12 defeat), Vladimir Gusev's squad showcased solid defensive play, allowing 2 or fewer goals per game.
The Bears' overall home record is impressive: in their last ten games, they have suffered only two losses, both by narrow margins (identical 0-2 defeats to Penza Diesel and Kurgan Zauralie).
Heading into the second clash with the Mammoths, there was one lineup change for Norilsk: Vyacheslav Skobelev was replaced by Nikita Shuydin on the third line, marking Shuydin's playoff debut.
The Bears registered 22 shots on target, won 22 faceoffs, and accumulated 13 penalty minutes. Midway through the third period, Norilsk failed to neutralize the Mammoths' power play, which became the turning point of the match. The only goal for the visitors was scored by defenseman Oleg Popov (4+0 in the current playoffs).
Match Results: Norilsk
Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk Team Overview
In the Petrov Cup Round of 16, the team from Khanty-Mansiysk outplayed HC Ryazan with a 4-1 series victory. The "Mammoths" defense showcased top-tier performance, shutting out Ryazan three times.
The Siberian team has now clinched six consecutive road wins. However, it's worth noting that between January 22 and February 13, Alexander Perov's squad unexpectedly suffered five straight losses, including a defeat to Norilsk.
Before their second home game, the "Mammoths" coaching staff made just one change: Arseniy Brinkman replaced Kirill Spitsenko in the third defensive pairing. The 24-year-old defenseman is known to some hockey fans for his stints with SKA and Dinamo Minsk.
On Friday, the Khanty-Mansiysk team unleashed an impressive 52 shots on goal, won 32 faceoffs, and successfully killed off all of Norilsk's power plays.
Match Results: Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk
🏒 Projected Lineups
Norilsk: Nikitin - Isaev, Makeev - Kolesnikov, Kaletnik, Antipov
Yugra: Sokhatsky - Medvedev, Kirpichnikov - Belyaev, Sholokhov, Mahanovsky
🥅 Goalies
Norilsk's goaltender Vadim Nikitin has started all eight playoff games for the "Bears." Over these matches, Nikitin has turned away 299 shots, maintaining a solid goals-against average of 2.10. Despite the team's loss, Vadim delivered another strong performance against Yugra, stopping an impressive 50 shots from the "Mammoths."
The seasoned Vladimir Sokhatsky has been a fixture in Yugra's lineup for several seasons. The 35-year-old netminder is well-known from his KHL days with Salavat Yulaev and Avtomobilist. His remarkable regular-season goals-against average stood at 1.78. In the series against Ryazan, Sokhatsky recorded three shutouts. In the second game against Norilsk, Vladimir saved 21 of the 22 shots faced from the visitors. Currently, he boasts an outstanding goals-against average of 1.22.
Editorial Prediction
Given that both teams boast high-caliber goalkeepers, and considering the statistics showing that most of Norilsk's recent home games have been low-scoring affairs, we suggest betting on the match total to be under 5.5 goals. This total comfortably hit in the first two games of the series, and we see no reason why this trend would change in the Mammoths' first away game.No comments
Betting Tips: Norilsk - Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk
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