Shanghai Dragons vs SKA St. Petersburg Prediction
📣 The next St. Petersburg derby is set for Wednesday at the "SKA Arena". Can the Shanghai team defeat the "Army Men" for the second time this season? We'll attempt to answer this and other questions in our prediction.
Head-to-Head
In the current regular season, the teams have already faced off four times. SKA hold the advantage from these encounters. Igor Larionov's squad secured their latest victory right on the Dragons' home ice with a 3-2 win. Yegor Savikov denied the Chinese team an overtime opportunity, sealing the match with just 19 seconds left in the third period.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Shanghai Dragons Team Overview
The Shanghai Dragons have been delivering mixed results in their recent fixtures. Over the last five games, they have secured two wins and suffered three losses, highlighting the inconsistency in their performance. The Dragons average 2.63 goals per game, yet they concede an average of 3.3 goals per match, pointing to defensive issues. These defensive struggles are exacerbated by frequent penalties and the absence of defensemen Harpur and Groleau. Additionally, their primary goaltender, Patrik Rybar, is sidelined with a one-game suspension. On Tuesday, it was announced that head coach Gerard Gallant's contract has been terminated. Assistant coach Mike Kelly has been stepping in for several games now. The Chinese team started 2026 on a relatively positive note, disappointing their fans only with a heavy defeat against the formidable Metallurg (3-7).
Match Results: Shanghai Dragons
SKA St. Petersburg Team Overview
In their last five games, SKA have secured three victories and suffered two defeats. Known for their scoring prowess, the team averages nearly three goals per game (2.95). However, their defense is not flawless, conceding an average of 2.69 goals per match. It's worth noting SKA's successful performances against Shanghai, where they frequently score more than two goals in these head-to-head encounters with the Chinese side. According to head coach Igor Larionov, forward Andrei Loktionov might return to the lineup on January 14, although players like Murphy, Korotky, and Igor Larionov Jr. will be unavailable to assist the Neva River squad on Wednesday. French forward Dube will also be absent from the roster. At the end of December and the beginning of January, Larionov's men have shown average results, rarely achieving victories by a margin of two or more goals.
Match Results: SKA St. Petersburg
🏒 Probable Lineups
SKA: Ivanov - Menell, Vydrenkov - Leipsic, Blandisi, Grimaldi
Shanghai Dragons: Kareyev - Bryntsev, Valentsev - Merkley, Quinney, Rendulic
🥅 Goalkeepers
This season, the goaltending unit for the "Army Men" features Sergey Ivanov, Yegor Zavragin, and Artemy Pleshkov. We expect Ivanov to start between the pipes, having played 17 games in the current regular season with an average of 2.5 goals allowed per game.
Former Spartak and Dinamo Minsk goalie Patrik Rybar is suspended. We anticipate Andrey Kareyev to start for Shanghai. The 31-year-old has been performing well lately as the last line of defense. On January 7, Andrey stopped 32 shots from Amur, securing his first shutout of the season.
Editor's Prediction
In the upcoming match, we consider betting on the Shanghai Dragons with a +1.5 handicap. The Shanghai side has maintained this handicap in three out of four head-to-head encounters with the St. Petersburg team this season. Given the significance of this clash between two neighboring rivals from St. Petersburg, the absence of SKA's first power-play unit defenseman Trevor Murphy, and the rather shaky recent form of the "Neva Army Men" in their last five games, this bet appears to be well-founded.
Betting Tips: Shanghai Dragons - SKA St. Petersburg
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