Lokomotiv Yaroslavl vs Salavat Yulaev UFA Prediction
🔊 Yaroslavl's Lokomotiv are set to host Salavat Yulaev from Ufa on their home ice. The hosts remain at the top of the Western Conference, but have recently started to slip up, which challenges the narrative of their total dominance in the conference. Meanwhile, the visitors have bolstered their roster with several quality players, gradually improving their standings, though they are still striving for consistency.
Head-to-Head
The rivals have already faced each other this season. In early November, on their home ice in Ufa, Salavat Yulaev players couldn't withstand the pressure from the champions and lost 1-4. Forward Maksim Shalunov played a pivotal role in his team's victory, scoring a goal and providing two assists.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Team Overview
Bob Hartley's squad have slightly slowed down recently. After an impressive five-game winning streak, they've stumbled twice in the second half of November. While this doesn't indicate a full-blown crisis, it does raise questions about the true strength of the reigning champions. Lokomotiv are no longer leading their conference in terms of scoring (83 goals) or defensive actions (55 goals conceded). The team needs to dispel any doubts in front of their home fans.
Match Results: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Salavat Yulaev UFA Team Overview
The club from the capital of Bashkortostan has undergone significant changes recently, both in terms of their roster and level of play. Their top attacking line now consists entirely of foreign players, which has produced mixed results so far. In their last 10 matches, the club secured 7 victories, but all three losses occurred in the first ten days of November. Just when they needed to build on their success, the team faltered again. They continue to struggle with scoring, managing only 61 goals, which hampers their ability to compete equally with the conference favorites.
Match Results: Salavat Yulaev UFA
🏒 Projected Lineups
Lokomotiv: Isaev - Bereglazov, Yelesin - Kayumov, Shalunov, Berezkin
Salavat Yulaev: Vyazovoy - Stuart, Kulik - Brossoit, Rodwald, Rempal
🥅 Goalkeepers
Lokomotiv's goaltender Daniil Isaev remains one of the top performers in his position within the league. The former Burans player boasts an average save percentage of 92.8% and an impressive goals-against average of 1.92. Often, it's his composure on the last line of defense that allows the team to maintain the necessary scoreline.
Salavat Yulaev's goalie Semyon Vyazovoy continues to uphold a high standard of play. The local talent averages a 93% save rate and has recorded one shutout. While it's not solely his efforts that have lifted the club from the lower end of the standings, his contributions between the pipes have certainly played a significant role in their rise.
Editor's Prediction
After a painful setback in their last game, the hosts need to bounce back convincingly to dispel any growing doubts about the champion's ability to handle adversity. Fortunately, their opponent seems suitable for such a task. Salavat Yulaev have lost their last five head-to-head encounters. Moreover, Bob Hartley's squad have triumphed at home in six of their previous seven matches. In our view, the reigning Gagarin Cup holders will secure their routine home points, and do so confidently. Our bet is on Lokomotiv to win with a handicap of (-1.5).
Betting Tips: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl - Salavat Yulaev UFA
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