Shanghai Dragons vs Spartak Moscow Prediction 20 January 2026
📣 On Tuesday, another clash between the Shanghai Dragons and Spartak is set to take place. This matchup holds significant importance for both teams, as they are neighbors in the Western standings. Can the Shanghai side close the gap on the Moscow team in the coming weeks? We'll find out soon enough, but for now, let's delve into the latest results and news from both teams.
Head-to-Head
Since the start of the current season, the teams have faced off in five head-to-head clashes. The first three ice battles took place in Moscow, where the "Red and Whites" held the advantage with two victories. The October encounter was unforgettable for fans: Shanghai and Moscow combined to score 12 goals in regulation, and Lucas Lockhart made his mark in the shootout, sending greetings to his former team. The next two games were hosted by the "Dragons." Once again, Moscow had the upper hand, securing one win and earning a point from a shootout loss. The latest matchup was highlighted by Mikhail Maltsev's standout performance (2 goals, 1 assist).
Head-to-head statistics Shanghai Dragons - Spartak Moscow
Shanghai Dragons Team Overview
The Shanghai Dragons have started the season with 17 wins and 28 losses. They average 2.56 goals per game but concede significantly more, at 3.31 goals per match. These results have kept them out of the top 8 by the end of 2025. Notably, the Dragons' strength lies in their aggressive starts: recent home game statistics show that Labanc and his teammates often find the back of the net in the first period. Recently, there have been changes in the coaching staff: 41-year-old Mitch Love, who has experience with Washington in the NHL, has taken over from Gerard Gallant. In the upcoming match against Spartak, Love is unlikely to be on the bench. Players such as Rybar, Josephs, and Harpur will also be absent.
Match Results: Shanghai Dragons
Spartak Moscow Team Overview
This season, Spartak are delivering fairly balanced results, securing 23 wins while suffering 22 losses. The "Red-Whites" showcase a strong offensive game, averaging 3.02 goals per match, ranking among the best in the league. However, their defense doesn't always hold up, conceding an average of 3.2 goals per game, often leading to tense finishes. Last week, Alexei Zhamnov's squad couldn't manage against Torpedo, falling to the Nizhny Novgorod side with a narrow 0-1 loss. In their last ten games, Spartak rarely score more than two goals against their opponents, impacted by injuries to key players and the intensity of matches against close rivals in the standings. Forwards Pashin and Filin have moved to the VHL, while forward Daniil Gutik has yet to join the team.
Match Results: Spartak Moscow
🏒 Projected Lineups
Spartak: Georgiev - Kinn, Mironov - Ruzicka, Morozov, Poryadin
Shanghai Dragons: Kareev - Somerby, Reilly - Wagner, Sutter, S. Fu
🥅 Goalkeepers
Since his return from the NHL, Spartak's goaltender Alexander Georgiev has played 11 games, posting a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.45. He has faced the Dragons twice, stopping a total of 67 shots from players in blue and orange jerseys.
Former Spartak and Dinamo Minsk goalie Patrik Rybar is sidelined with an injury. Filling in for him at the Dragons' last line of defense is his teammate Andrei Kareev. Over 17 games, Kareev has recorded a less-than-stellar GAA of 3.05. In his last outing against Lokomotiv, Andrei stepped up for Rybar, making 21 saves against the Yaroslavl team.
⭐ Editorial Prediction
The rivalry between the Shanghai Dragons and Spartak has already become a classic this season. The Dragons have struggled with penalties, conceding an average of 3.31 goals per game. However, in their last five matches, recognizing the importance of every point and aiming for that eighth spot, the Shanghai side has allowed more than three goals only once. These stats lead us to consider a bet on Spartak's individual total under 3.5 goals. Interestingly, this bet has been successful in 8 of Spartak's last 10 games. We're entering a crucial phase of the season, and every team is set to tighten up their defense.No comments
Betting Tips: Shanghai Dragons - Spartak Moscow
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