Barys Astana vs AK Bars Kazan Prediction 20 March 2025
📢 Will the trip to Kazakhstan's capital be a walk in the park for Anvar Gatiyatulin's squad? This Thursday promises KHL fans a slew of intriguing matchups. One such clash pits Astana's Barys against Kazan's Ak Bars on the ice of the "Barys Arena." Galym Mambetaliev and his team are set to finish the regular season at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, leaving the Kazakh side with nothing to lose. Let's take a look at the bookmakers' early odds for the match: a win for the hosts is at 7.2, while a victory for the visitors stands at 1.38.
Head-to-Head
The teams have faced each other three times this season, with the Kazan club's hockey players coming out on top each time. Barys' last victory over Ak Bars was in the 2022/23 season (3-2 in a shootout). The current unbeaten streak for the team from the capital of Tatarstan has now reached nine consecutive games.
Head-to-head statistics Barys Astana - AK Bars Kazan
Barys Astana Team Overview
Beyond their on-ice struggles, Barys are also dealing with financial issues. According to several sources, there have been salary delays for the players since December 2024. Fans of the "Leopards" are eager to forget this season as a bad dream and are hopeful for a brighter future for their beloved club. It's worth noting that the Astana team have been underwhelming in their home games as well, securing only 17 points from 32 matches-the worst record in the East. The alarming scoring rate of Mambetaliev's squad stands out too, with just 1.48 goals per game, the lowest in the conference. Among their personnel issues, injuries to goaltenders Nikita Boyarkin and Andrey Shutov remain significant concerns.
Match Results: Barys Astana
AK Bars Kazan Team Overview
The Kazan team has struggled with consistency this season. After a phenomenal match, the "Greens" can falter against one of the conference's underdogs. This was evident last weekend when they fell to Vityaz (1-2 OT). Now, the club from Tatarstan's capital sits in 5th place in the East, just 2 points shy of the top four. Notably, Anvar Gatiyatulin's squad ranks among the highest-scoring teams in the conference, averaging 3.03 goals per game (3rd best). Forward Artem Galimov is having a fantastic season, amassing 59 points with 35 goals and 24 assists.
Match Results: AK Bars Kazan
🏒 Projected Lineups
Barys: Shestakov - Beketayev, Daniyar - Asetov, Omirbekov, Panyukov
Ak Bars: Bilyalov - Marchenko, Lyamkin - Galimov, Safonov, Barabanov
🥅 Goalkeepers
Artem Shestakov delivered a commendable performance against Sibir (2-3), saving 91.20% of shots with 31 saves. The 20-year-old goalie has played in six games this regular season. His average stats include a 90% save percentage and a goals-against average (GAA) of 3.51.
Timur Bilyalov is a true master and an elite-level goaltender. The 29-year-old Russian has participated in 40 matches for his team this season. His stats during this stretch are impressive: a 92.57% save percentage, a GAA of 2.24, and two shutouts.
Editorial Prediction
Ak Bars have consistently claimed victory in their last nine head-to-head encounters. It's challenging to identify any factors that might motivate Barys' players in the upcoming match. Galym Mambetaliyev and his team struggle with game organization, and sheer determination alone won't be enough to carry them through. Additionally, significant off-ice issues further complicate the situation for the Kazakh side. We lean towards an Ak Bars victory with a -1.5 handicap.No comments
Betting Tips: Barys Astana - AK Bars Kazan
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