Shanghai Dragons vs HC Traktor Chelyabinsk Prediction 14 October 2026
๐ Conceding nine goals in their last clash with Traktor is not something Shanghai Dragons will forget anytime soon. Now, the Dragons host the Chelyabinsk side at SCA Arena, where they've only lost to Dinamo Minsk this season. The visitors, however, are also desperate to turn things around: three straight defeats and a spot near the bottom of the Eastern Conference table are far from what Traktor had in mind. Their attack is a particular concern, managing just two goals across those three games. Can the hosts capitalise on Traktorโs struggles and claim revenge for that heavy defeat in November?
From a Nine-Goal Thriller to Overtime
๐ Last seasonโs two encounters painted a starkly contrasting picture. In Saint Petersburg, the Shanghai Dragons edged out Traktor 5-4 in overtime, with Nick Merkley netting the game-winner in the extra frame. The return fixture in Chelyabinsk, however, was a completely different story: the hosts cruised to a commanding 9-0 victory, setting a club record for goal differential in the KHL. Andrey Svetlakov bagged a brace that night, while for the Dragons, this heavy defeat surely ranks among their most bitter memories from last season.
Head-to-head statistics Shanghai Dragons - HC Traktor Chelyabinsk
They rarely lose at home
Shanghai Dragons continue to struggle in their own zone, even if the results donโt always reflect it. Their opponentsโ average expected goals sits at 3.35, yet Mitch Loveโs side have conceded more than two goals just once in their last eight outings. Much of that resilience comes down to their goaltenders: for instance, in a recent road clash against Dynamo Moscow, the hosts fired three times as many shots on target, but Amir Miftakhovโs heroics secured a 3-2 win. On home ice at the SKA Arena, the Chinese club look even more composed-theyโve suffered just one home defeat this season, courtesy of Dinamo Minsk.
It was Minsk who once again traveled to St. Petersburg on October 12 and managed to halt the Dragonsโ home streak. This time, Dmitry Khomchenko was between the pipes, but Daniil Lipsky struck twice before the second intermission, putting Shanghai on the back foot. Early in the third period, Dmitrij Jaskin converted on the power play, but a costly turnover at the blue line soon gifted Tierney a goal. Only a late strike from Chen, with 30 seconds left on the clock, cut the deficit to one (2-3). Shanghai capitalized on two of their five power play opportunities but struggled to generate sustained offense, while injured Martin Frk remains sidelined.
Match Results: Red Star Kunlun
Plenty of shots, but hardly any goals
Traktor have returned from Kazan, but their home form shows little sign of improvement. The Chelyabinsk side have dropped three straight games, managing just two goals in that stretch-even though their opponents included Amur and Sibir. These struggles have lingered since the start of the season: under Scott Gordon, Traktor average only 1.9 goals per game, and convert on the power play just 14% of the time-only Avtomobilist and Ak Bars post worse numbers in the East. Among the forwards, it's actually defenseman Grigory Dronov who stands out with three goals, second only to Nathan Legare. Frustration among fans has reached the point where a petition is circulating, demanding changes in club management.
In their latest outing against Sibir, Traktor again expended plenty of energy chasing the game. The visitors jumped out to a 2-0 lead courtesy of a brace from Arkhip Nekolenko, who twice redirected shots from Cameron Lee Dietz. The hosts managed to respond early in the third period when Dronov scored on the power play. Traktor pushed hard after that, but even with a six-on-four advantage late on, they couldn't find an equalizer and fell 2-1. Statistically, Traktor outshot Sibir 33-30 and dominated offensive zone time-14:36 to 7:51-but once again, territorial dominance failed to translate into points.
Match Results: HC Traktor Chelyabinsk
Prediction for the 1st period
The Shanghai Dragons have rarely seen high-scoring starts in recent games. In five consecutive matches, there have been fewer than two goals scored in the opening twenty minutes. Even against Dinamo Minsk, the hosts conceded just once before the first intermission, despite struggling to create chances at the other end. The pick here is under 1.5 goals in the first period.
Total Prediction
Traktor are currently struggling to convert their chances, but their away record against the Shanghai Dragons tells a different story. In eight consecutive visits, the Chelyabinsk side have scored at least two goals each time. Given that the hosts allow an average of 3.35 expected goals against per game, the visitors should find their opportunities. The pick: Traktor over 1.5 individual goals.โญ๏ธ Editorial Prediction
The memory of those nine unanswered goals in Chelyabinsk surely still lingers in Shanghai. But this time around, Traktor are far less convincing than they were in that head-to-head. Scott Gordonโs side have dropped three straight games, managing to score just twice over that stretch. Even against Sibir, despite dominating puck possession and offensive zone time, Chelyabinsk could only find the net once.
The Dragons, on the other hand, are in a very different place. Seven wins in their last ten outings show they know how to get results-even if itโs not always thanks to rock-solid defense. At the SKA Arena, the hosts have only lost to Dinamo Minsk, and even then, they nearly pulled off a dramatic comeback from three goals down in their most recent clash. Given Traktorโs current struggles to convert chances, Shanghaiโs odds look quite strong here. My pick: Shanghai Dragons to win, including overtime and shootout.
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Betting Tips: Red Star Kunlun - HC Traktor Chelyabinsk
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