Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk vs Admiral Prediction 13 September 2026
🔊 Neftekhimik have started the season on a strong note, picking up points in all three of their opening games and already recording two wins. Admiral, on the other hand, endured a tougher start, but their Moscow road trip has clearly lifted team spirits: after grabbing a point against Dynamo, the Far Eastern side pulled off a surprise victory over CSKA. Now the Sailors head to Nizhnekamsk riding the momentum of their first win, while the hosts will look to keep their positive run going in front of their home fans. Last season, this matchup consistently delivered high-scoring hockey, so fans can expect plenty of action in front of goal once again.
Head-to-Head
📊 In last season's regular campaign, these teams faced off four times, with Neftekhimik holding the upper hand. The Nizhnekamsk side came out on top in three games, while Admiral managed just one win. Both teams were prolific in front of goal, averaging 6.75 goals per game across those matchups. Only one of the four encounters saw fewer than six goals scored.
Head-to-head statistics Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk - Admiral
Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk Team Overview
Neftekhimik have kicked off the season with real confidence, collecting points in every game so far. Their only defeat came in a dramatic clash against the Shanghai Dragons, where they squandered a three-goal lead and eventually fell in overtime (4-5). Bouncing back from that heartbreak, Neftekhimik delivered a dominant performance against Sochi, cruising to a 5-1 win-even though their opponents actually posted higher expected goals, 3.1 to 2.5. Clinical finishing has quickly become one of Igor Grishin’s key assets during this stretch.
The victory over Avtomobilist was a different story altogether. Artur Tianulin twice put the hosts in front, with his first goal coming on the power play, before Rafael Bikmullin sealed the result with an empty-netter (3-1). In the closing stages, Neftekhimik put in a solid shift off the puck, denying their rivals any chance of a late comeback. After the match, Igor Grishin praised his team’s movement, relentless pressure, and commitment. The game also saw Alexander Petunin make his debut for the Nizhnekamsk side.
Match Results: Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk
Admiral Vladivostok Team Overview
The opening two games made it clear that Admiral struggle to generate much offense. They failed to score at all against Ak Bars, and managed just three shots on target in the first 40 minutes versus Dynamo Moscow. Still, it was in that second fixture where they picked up their first point of the season, pushing the game to a shootout (1-2). Yegor Chezganov netted their lone regulation goal on the power play.
Admiral’s attack finally showed real promise against CSKA. After conceding early, they responded with a goal from Oskar Bulavchuk, then struck three more times in the third period to secure a 4-2 victory. Mikhail Grass scored the decisive power-play goal, while Danila Moiseyev sealed the win with an empty-netter. The team also withstood heavy pressure from the hosts, finishing with 23 blocked shots. Ahead of their trip to Nizhnekamsk, Olson, Pimenov, Tsitsyura, and Grman remain unavailable for selection.
Match Results: Admiral Vladivostok
⚡️ Key Players
For Neftekhimik, Artur Tianulin and Andrey Belozerov lead the way with five points each. Tianulin has notched three goals and added two assists, while Belozerov sits at 2+3. Rafael Bikmullin has contributed three points, tallying two goals and one assist.
Admiral’s top performers are Danila Moiseyev, Egor Chezganov, and Oskar Bulavchuk, each collecting two points with a goal and an assist apiece.
🥅 Goaltenders
Yaroslav Ozolin has started two games for Neftekhimik, winning both. He’s stopped 69 of 71 shots faced for a stellar 97.2% save percentage and boasts a goals-against average of 1.00. Filipp Dolganov has played once, turning aside 32 of 37 shots for an 86.5% save percentage and a 4.90 GAA.
Ivan Kulbakov has been between the pipes for all three Admiral fixtures, stopping 84 of 88 shots for a 95.5% save percentage. He has one win to his name and carries a 1.30 goals-against average.
⭐️ Editorial Prediction
Neftekhimik certainly don't look like a team aiming to shut things down early in the season. They've netted 12 goals across their first three games, and their clash with the Shanghai Dragons saw a total of nine goals scored. Including preseason fixtures, over 4.5 goals has landed in seven of their last eight outings.
Admiral have started out more cautiously, but their recent road trip showcased a different attacking potential-putting four goals past CSKA, with two coming before the opposing goalie was pulled. The head-to-head history also supports this pick: at least five goals were scored in four of the last five meetings between these sides, and the average total over their four encounters last season was 6.75. There are several independent reasons to expect a high-scoring game here. My pick: over 4.5 goals.
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Betting Tips: Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk - Admiral Vladivostok
in 11 of last 12 home games against Admiral Vladivostok (KHL).
in last 14 home games against Admiral Vladivostok (KHL).in 14 of last 16 away games (KHL).in 7 of last 8 games (KHL).in 12 of last 14 home games (KHL).
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