Torpedo vs Amur Khabarovsk Prediction
🔊 Amur's final regular-season game holds no significant implications for them, but they surely aim to end the season on a high note. For Torpedo, the stakes are much higher-losing could drop them to eighth place, setting up a first-round playoff clash against the top team from the West. Let's dive into the statistical trends and patterns before the KHL matchup on March 19.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over the past three seasons, Torpedo and Amur have faced each other five times: the Nizhny Novgorod team claimed victory in four matches, while the Khabarovsk side won once. In the last 15 years, the Volga team has only suffered one regulation-time defeat against this opponent on their home ice.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Torpedo N. Novgorod Team Overview
Torpedo approach the final game of the regular season and the start of the playoffs with 5 losses in their last 6 matches. Recently, they fell at home to Neftekhimik (3-6), conceding six goals in a game for the first time since January 10. Alexey Isakov's squad still have a chance to secure sixth place in the West, but they could also drop to the eighth spot.
On home ice, Torpedo's defensive play has been far from convincing, allowing an average of 2.97 goals per game (18th in the KHL). In 6 of their last 7 games, they have conceded at least three goals.
Torpedo have no injured players on their list. Denis Alexandrov has returned to the lineup, replacing Sergey Boykov, and Kirill Svishchyov has taken Alexander Yaremchuk's spot.
Match Results: Torpedo N. Novgorod
Amur Khabarovsk Team Overview
The Khabarovsk club kicked off their road trip with two games where they earned points, losing to Spartak (0-1 OT) and defeating Sochi (3-2). However, after losing their playoff hopes, Amur fell to one of the league's weaker teams, Lada (2-5). Amur is now confirmed to finish ninth in the East.
On the road, the Far Eastern club alternates between wins and losses-Alexander Andriyevsky's team struggles to achieve consistent point accumulation (39.4%). The "Tigers" have one of the weakest offenses in away games, averaging just 2.27 goals per game.
Amur is dealing with injuries to three of their top 10 scorers-Alex Broadhurst, Yevgeni Svechnikov, and Artyom Shvaryov. Before the inconsequential match in Togliatti from a tournament standpoint, Amur's coaching staff made several changes: resting goaltender Maxim Dorozhko and defenseman Alexei Solovyov.
Match Results: Amur Khabarovsk
⚡️ Leaders
The top scorer for Torpedo is Yegor Vinogradov, who has racked up 52 points (21 goals and 31 assists). His goal against Neftekhimik allowed him to catch up with Vasily Atanasov in the scoring race. In the assist rankings, Robert Nardella stands alone at the top with 37 assists. Defenseman Bogdan Konyushkov has scored in three consecutive games.
As the Far Eastern club approaches the end of the season, they have no player surpassing the 40-point mark. Amur's leading scorer, Yaroslav Likhachyov, has accumulated only 39 points (22 goals and 17 assists). The Tigers' top playmaker is Danil Yurtaykin, with 23 assists.
🥅 Goaltenders
Torpedo's defensive and goaltending performance raises concerns ahead of the playoffs. Denis Kostin has managed to stop only 85.2% of shots over five March games, with a goals-against average (GAA) of 3.95. Dmitry Shugaev shows slightly better form in March, with a 91.1% save percentage and a GAA of 2.91, but he has only played parts of two games during this stretch.
In Tolyatti, as expected, Maxim Dorozhko was left off the roster. In a game with no stakes, coaches gave him a rest after 12 consecutive starts. Over seven March games, the goaltender posted a 92.8% save percentage and a GAA of 2.02. Against Lada, Viktor Kobozev allowed four goals in just 42 minutes, while Damir Shaymardanov conceded one more in under 18 minutes.
Editorial Prediction
This match is crucial for Torpedo from every angle. However, it's essential to consider how the team has performed in recent games, which were equally important - it's these results that have seen Torpedo slip from a top-four spot to hovering around sixth to eighth place.
In their last 18 matches, the Nizhny Novgorod side lost 12 times. Out of their six victories, none were by more than a single goal margin - they won thrice in regulation time by one goal and three times beyond regulation time. Amur may not be known for dramatic finishes, but over the past nine seasons, they have only once lost the final regular-season game by more than one goal (last year against Traktor with a score of 0-2).
While a Torpedo victory isn't off the table, we believe the return of Maxim Dorozhko will boost their confidence, and Amur's end-of-season stats are more than just numbers. Our pick is Amur to win with a +1.5 handicap.
Betting Tips: Torpedo N. Novgorod - Amur Khabarovsk
in last 9 games against Amur Khabarovsk (KHL).in 14 of last 15 home games against Amur Khabarovsk (KHL).in last 9 games against Amur Khabarovsk (KHL).in last 6 home games against Amur Khabarovsk (KHL).
