Severstal Cherepovec vs Ak Bars Kazan Prediction 16 March 2026
🔊 Severstal, after a string of setbacks, are at risk of losing not only their second place in the West but also their top-4 standing, which could cost them home-ice advantage in the first round. Can the "Steelmen" break through Kazan's solid defense, despite missing their starting goalie? We delve into the stats and trends from the teams' recent games ahead of the KHL regular season matchup on March 16. For more details, visit KHL.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over the past three seasons, Severstal and Ak Bars have faced each other five times: the Cherepovets club claimed victory in four matches, while the Kazan team won once. The only meeting this season ended with a home victory for Ak Bars (4-3 OT).
Head-to-head statistics Severstal Cherepovec - Ak Bars Kazan
Severstal Cherepovec Team Overview
The "Steelmakers" have lost 4 of their last 5 games, recently suffering a heavy defeat to SKA (0-5). This loss marks the largest defeat for Andrey Kozyrev's team since March of last year. Severstal currently hold second place in the Western Conference, but theoretically, they could slip down to sixth. A victory over Ak Bars would secure a top-4 finish and home-ice advantage in the first round.
At home, Severstal have also lost 4 of their last 5 games, conceding more than four goals only once during that stretch. Throughout the season, the "Steelmakers" boast one of the best home defenses in the West, allowing an average of 2.5 goals per game.
Severstal's injury list is empty. In St. Petersburg, defensemen Kirill Tankov and Grigory Vashchenko returned to the lineup, replacing Timur Karimov and Artem Zhukov on the roster.
Match Results: Severstal Cherepovec
Ak Bars Kazan Team Overview
The Kazan club heads into the game in Cherepovets riding a three-game winning streak-Ak Bars have defeated Sibir (6-3), Spartak (4-1), and Sochi (2-0). Anvar Gatiyatulin's team still has a shot at surpassing Avangard, though a third-place finish in the Eastern Conference seems the most likely outcome for the "Bars".
On the road, the team from Tatarstan shows less consistency than at home-since early February, they have alternated between short winning and losing streaks. In terms of defensive play away from home, Ak Bars are the best in the East, conceding an average of just 2.23 goals per game. Over their last six away fixtures, the "Bars" have allowed more than two goals only once.
Ak Bars' injury list is clear. Their primary goaltender, Timur Bilyalov, is still recovering, with the coaching staff aiming for his return during the playoffs. Artem Galimov was rested in the game against Sochi, with Semyon Terekhov taking his spot on the top attacking line. Mikhail Fisenko has returned to the lineup.
Match Results: Ak Bars Kazan
⚡️ Key Players
Severstal's top scorer, Ruslan Abrosimov, with 24 goals, remains in the league's top 10. However, the forward missed the last two games. Ioannis Kaldis and Mikhail Ilyin, each with 30 assists, are vying for the lead in the playmaking duel. Adam Liska has registered points in four of the last five matches.
Ak Bars boast one of the most formidable presences among the top 30 scorers. Kazan's point leader is Kirill Semyonov (52 points, 16+36). Their leading goal scorer is Alexander Barabanov with 20 goals, while Nathan Todd ranks second in both goals and assists (19+29). The most productive defenseman is Mitchell Miller (19+26).
🥅 Goalies
Having played four consecutive complete games from late February to early March, Alexander Samoylov (with a save percentage of 91.2% and a goals-against average of 2.24 during this stretch) was left out of the lineup against SKA. Konstantin Shostak conceded four goals to the St. Petersburg team in half a game and was replaced by Vsevolod Skotnikov, who allowed one more goal.
In the absence of Timur Bilyalov, Ak Bars' netminder for the last four games has been Maxim Arefyev, who delivered impressive performances. In March, he saved 94.2% of shots with a goals-against average of 1.68.
Editorial Prediction
Severstal hold the edge in recent head-to-head matchups, having won four out of the last five encounters against Ak Bars. More intriguingly, the "Steelmen" have not lost to Ak Bars in regulation time for eight consecutive games now. Considering that Severstal have bounced back with a win in all seven games following a heavy defeat by five or more goals, the editorial choice is clear - Severstal will not lose in regulation time (double chance 1X).
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Betting Tips: Severstal Cherepovec - Ak Bars Kazan
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