Torpedo vs Metallurg Magnitogorsk Prediction
🔊 Metallurg continue to showcase their high-scoring prowess in the playoffs, once again netting four against Torpedo. Could Nizhny Novgorod's defense find some relief on home ice? Let's delve into statistical trends and the head-to-head history on the Volga ice to offer an insightful prediction for the third game of the second-round series in the Gagarin Cup, set for April 13, 2026.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over the past three seasons, Metallurg and Torpedo have clashed eight times. During this stretch in the regular season, both clubs have claimed three victories each, while the Ural club secured both playoff encounters with scores of 4-3 and 4-1. Magnitogorsk consistently scores at least four goals per game against this opponent in seven consecutive matches. On home ice, Torpedo have lost to this rival in 8 of their last 9 games-all in regulation time.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Torpedo N. Novgorod Team Overview
The team from Volga has been delivering quite a productive performance in the current playoffs, averaging 2.43 goals scored and 2.71 goals conceded per game during the Gagarin Cup.
On home ice, including regular-season games, they have secured four wins in their last five outings. During the current playoffs at Nagorny, the "Avtozavodtsy" have averaged 2.5 goals scored in regulation time while allowing 1.5 goals.
Torpedo has scored twice on the power play, achieving a 20% conversion rate, which ranks 9th among all Gagarin Cup teams. In penalty killing, the "Avtozavodtsy" have conceded three times, with an 84.2% success rate in neutralizing the opponent's power play, placing them 6th in the tournament.
Match Results: Torpedo N. Novgorod
Metallurg Magnitogorsk Team Overview
"Magnitka" hold their spot among the top three highest-scoring teams in the Gagarin Cup and rank in the top three for defensive reliability, as demonstrated in their second game of the series. In the playoffs, Andrei Razin's team averages three goals scored during regulation while conceding just one.
Over a span of five games, the "Foxes" have won five and lost five. The playoff record mirrors this balance. Away from Magnitogorsk in the 2026 Gagarin Cup, the team averages 1.5 goals scored during regulation and concedes 0.5.
Two clubs scored more than the Urals club (4 goals) on the power play in the first round. Their power play conversion rate of 16% ranks only 13th in the tournament. Metallurg have neutralized 87.5% of opponents' power play attempts, allowing just two goals, which is the best performance among teams still in contention for the trophy.
Match Results: Metallurg Magnitogorsk
Latest news
Torpedo N. Novgorod
💬 Torpedo's head coach Alexey Isakov: "We've wrapped up two away games. Unfortunately, we couldn't secure a win, so we'll focus on preparing for our home matches. Egor Sokolov hasn't played in a while, and we decided to give him a chance today. It's hard to assess his performance when the team has lost."
❌ Torpedo have no players on the injury list.
↔️ Egor Sokolov has returned to the Nizhny Novgorod lineup, replacing Alexander Yaremchuk in the fourth forward line.
Metallurg Magnitogorsk
💬 Metallurg's head coach Andrey Razin: "There are aspects we need to eliminate, particularly counterattacks. Based on our movement and chances, I believe we deserved the win. We need to take more shots and pose a greater threat during power plays. In our five-on-three play, we barely took any shots."
❌ Dmitry Silantyev, one of Metallurg's top scorers from the regular season, remains on the injured list.
↔️ Following the victory in the first game of the series, Andrey Razin decided not to alter the lineup, allowing time for captain and defenseman Alexey Makyukov to recover.
⚡️ Key Players
For Torpedo, the leading scorer remains Vladislav Firstov (3+4), although his streak of four consecutive games with points was snapped in the second game in the Urals. Among Nizhny Novgorod's top snipers are Vladimir Tkachev and Sergey Goncharuk, each with three goals, while Maksim Letunov and Bogdan Konyushkov stand out as playmakers with four assists each. Amir Garaev has picked up points in both encounters against Metallurg.
For Metallurg, forward Vladimir Tkachev leads the scoring race with 7 points (2+5) and is also one of the top playmakers in the Gagarin Cup. Sergey Tolchinsky (2+3) has recorded points in two consecutive games, moving up to second in the team's scoring race. Roman Kanzerov, Alexander Petunin, and Robin Press each have 2+2, while Derek Barach has contributed 1+3.
🥅 Goalkeepers
Torpedo's goalie Denis Kostin has posted a save percentage above 90% in 6 of his 7 playoff games. While he struggled in the first game in Magnitogorsk, he returned to form in the second, despite conceding four goals again. He leads the KHL in saves with 240. Kostin ranks 13th in the league for save percentage (92.7%) and 18th for goals-against average (2.62). The backup goalie, Dmitry Shugayev, has not featured in the playoffs.
Alexander Smolin has also recorded a save percentage of 90% or higher in 6 of his 7 playoff appearances, most recently stopping 27 shots (96.4%) against Nizhny Novgorod. In terms of average save percentage (95.5%) during the playoffs, Metallurg's goalie ranks fourth, as well as fourth in goals-against average (1.08). Due to a match penalty, Ilya Nabokov replaced him once in the playoffs, allowing just one goal in nearly 70 minutes against Novosibirsk.
Editor's Prediction
It's challenging to pinpoint how Torpedo plans to snatch even a single game from Metallurg in this series. Playing at home might offer some respite, as bookmakers aren't heavily favoring the Ural club as the clear favorite here. However, the stats tell a different story-Metallurg have triumphed in eight of their last nine visits to Torpedo's rink. Considering that Andrey Razin's squad have won six of their seven playoff games, betting on a Metallurg victory in the match (including overtime) seems like a solid choice.
Betting Tips: Torpedo N. Novgorod - Metallurg Magnitogorsk
in 8 of last 9 home games against Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL).in last 5 games against Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL).in 6 of last 7 games (KHL).in last 14 home games against Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL).in 12 of last 13 games against Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL).in last 7 games (KHL).in 8 of last 9 home games against Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL).in last 7 games (KHL).in 7 of last 8 games (KHL).
