Metallurg Magnitogorsk vs Barys Astana Prediction 18 September 2026
🔊 After a strong start to the season, Metallurg have stumbled with back-to-back defeats, and now the Magnitogorsk side will look to get back on track at home against Barys. The Astana club, meanwhile, quickly put their loss to Amur behind them, kicking off their road trip with a commanding 6-0 win over Lada. High-scoring performances are becoming a trademark for Mikhail Kravets’ team-they’ve netted at least six goals in three of their last four outings. That spells a real test for Metallurg, who conceded two power-play goals to Spartak in their previous game. Facing such a prolific opponent, this matchup promises to be a genuine challenge for the hosts.
Head-to-Head
📊 Magnitogorsk have historically dominated this matchup. Since joining the KHL, these two sides have faced off 77 times, with Metallurg claiming 51 victories, while Barys have come out on top in 26 encounters.
The most recent clash also went Metallurg’s way, though it took extra time to settle the outcome. On February 17, 2026, the teams met in Astana, where Metallurg edged a 3-2 win in overtime. Notably, Magnitogorsk have won six of the last seven head-to-head games within regulation.
Head-to-head statistics Metallurg Magnitogorsk - Barys Astana
They are creating chances, but their finishing has started to let them down.
After opening the season with three straight wins, Metallurg have now suffered back-to-back defeats. First, the Magnitogorsk side squandered a two-goal lead against Avangard and lost in overtime (2-3), and then failed to pick up any points at home. The issue in their latest outing wasn’t a lack of chances: against Spartak, Metallurg posted 3.3 expected goals and fired 42 shots on target. However, only 4.8% of those attempts found the back of the net, with both Metallurg goals coming on the power play.
At even strength, they simply couldn’t solve Ivan Fedotov. Egor Yakovlev and Vladimir Tkachev capitalized with the man advantage, but Spartak answered with two power play goals of their own and added a third during a delayed penalty. Despite dominating the shot count in the first period (15-2), the hosts went into the intermission level. Late in the game, Metallurg pulled their goalie for an extra skater, but couldn’t salvage a result-falling 2-3. It was their first home defeat of the current campaign.
Match Results: Metallurg Magnitogorsk
Six goals in Togliatti saw the attack return to its former firepower
Barys opened their campaign with back-to-back wins, putting seven goals past Sibir and eight past Salavat Yulaev in a pair of high-scoring performances. Their scoring run was finally halted by Amur, as Mikhail Kravets’ side fell 1-3 despite outshooting their opponents 37-18. That attacking lull didn’t last long, though. In the very next game, Barys found the net six more times, with Justin Bailey recording a brace to take his personal tally to nine points.
The team’s first road trip of the season proved to be a comfortable one. In Tolyatti, Barys steadily built their advantage: one goal in the opening period, two more in the second, and three in the final frame. Alongside Bailey, Jake Massie, Semyon Simonov, Ian McCoshen, and Tyce Thompson all got on the scoresheet. At the other end, Barys were rock-solid-Hunter Shepard stopped all seven shots he faced to earn his first KHL shutout. The emphatic 6-0 result marked Barys’ third win in four games to start the season. Shestakov remains sidelined through injury.
Match Results: Barys Astana
⚡️ Key Players
Sergei Tolchinsky has collected four points in five games for Metallurg, tallying one goal and three assists. Ruslan Iskhakov and Luke Johnson each have three points: Iskhakov with a 2+1 line, Johnson with 1+2.
Justin Bailey leads Barys with nine points from four appearances-five goals and four assists. Garrett Pilon and Mason Morelli have both contributed five points. Pilon has two goals and three assists, while Morelli is on 1+4.
🥅 Goaltenders
Alexander Smolin has featured in four games for Metallurg, conceding seven goals. He boasts a 93.1% save percentage and a 2.27 goals-against average. Egor Zavragin has played twice, allowing four goals for a 90% save rate and a 2.05 GAA.
Hunter Shepard has started all four games for Barys, posting three wins and one loss. He’s stopped 84 of 93 shots-good for a 90.3% save percentage and a 2.28 GAA, including one shutout performance.
⭐️ Editorial Prediction
Metallurg’s recent back-to-back defeats stand in stark contrast to their impressive start to the season. Even against Spartak, the Magnitogorsk side generated 3.3 expected goals and fired 42 shots on target, only to be let down by their finishing. Now they face an opponent against whom they’ve enjoyed much more success in recent years.
Head-to-head history is the key factor here. Metallurg have claimed six regulation-time victories in their last seven meetings with Barys, and their overall KHL record remains firmly in their favour. After two consecutive setbacks, the hosts have a prime opportunity to snap their losing streak in a matchup where they consistently deliver results. My pick: Metallurg to win in regulation.
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