Salavat Yulaev Ufa vs Sochi Prediction
🔊 A game that holds no significance in terms of tournament standings. Salavat Yulaev are already focused on their upcoming trip to Yekaterinburg for the first round of the Gagarin Cup playoffs, while Sochi have come to terms with being the league's bottom team. But what's stopping the Southerners from making a statement on their way out? Let's delve into this KHL regular season matchup and offer a prediction for the game on March 20.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over the past three seasons, Salavat Yulaev and Sochi have faced off seven times: the team from Ufa won six matches, while Sochi claimed victory in one. This season, both encounters took place in Adler-initially, the "Leopards" defeated their rivals (2-1), but later lost to them by the same scoreline.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Salavat Yulaev Ufa Team Overview
As they approach the final game of the regular season, Viktor Kozlov's team rides a four-game point streak, including back-to-back victories over the Shanghai Dragons (5-3) and Neftekhimik (3-0). Salavat Yulaev are locked into fifth place in the East and will kick off their first-round series against Avtomobilist on the road on March 23.
On home ice, the Ufa club have secured points in 9 of their last 10 games. Salavat Yulaev's average performance at the Ufa Arena sees them scoring 2.88 goals per game while conceding 2.39.
Defenseman Alexander Komarov remains on the injured list, but there is hope that one of the club's most renowned players, Evgeny Kuznetsov, will return soon.
Match Results: Salavat Yulaev Ufa
Sochi Team Overview
Sochi have suffered six consecutive regulation losses, marking their worst point-less streak since December 2024. Following a 2-4 home defeat to Ak Bars, Dmitry Mikhailov's squad has lost any chance of catching up with Lada and has officially accepted their status as the season's bottom team.
On the road, the "leopards" have fared even worse, losing 9 out of their last 10 matches-all in regulation. Sochi have managed just eight wins out of 33 away games, which is also the league's lowest. They average a dismal 1.79 goals per game while conceding 4.00 on away ice.
The "leopards" are dealing with a lengthy injury list that includes goaltender Alexei Shchetillin, one of their top-scoring defensemen Cameron Lee, as well as Ilya Nikolaev and Ilya Sushko, along with the team's leading scorer Max Ellis. However, Noel Hoefenmayer has made his return to the lineup.
Match Results: Sochi
⚡️ Leaders
The race for the top scorer of the "Yulaevtsy" this regular season is between two Canadian imports - Sheldon Rempal, with 46 points (15 goals, 31 assists), and Jack Rodewald, who has 44 points (21 goals, 23 assists). Devin Brosseau also has a shot at becoming the top goal scorer with his 21 goals. Rempal has been in fine form, scoring in each of the last four games.
In Sochi, Daniil Serouk (33 points, 12 goals, 21 assists) and Matvey Guskov (32 points, 10 goals, 22 assists) are vying for the top scorer title. Both have returned to action after brief absences. American forward Max Ellis (30 points, 16 goals, 14 assists) could have been a contender, but he missed the last three games.
🥅 Goalkeepers
Ufa's netminder Semyon Vyazovoy has been shouldering a heavy workload. The 23-year-old goalie played in seven out of eight games in March, starting the last six without substitutions. This spring, he boasts a save percentage of 94.3% with a goals-against average of 1.85. There is a chance he might be rested in a non-crucial game ahead of a potentially long playoff series. Ilya Konovalov has only appeared in five games this season.
In March, Pavel Khomchenko maintained a high save percentage of 93.8% with a goals-against average of 2.17 over seven games. His primary backup in recent matches, Alexei Shchetilin, was replaced on the roster by Ilya Samsonov due to injury.
Editorial Prediction
Heading into the upcoming clash, both teams can afford to relax, rotate their squads, and play for enjoyment. There's a chance that Ilia Konovalov will make his fifth start of the season in goal for the hosts - his goals-against average this season stands at just 3.74.
Considering that "going out with a bang" is more than just a phrase for Sochi, who haven't made the playoffs since 2019, we can expect a high-scoring game. In five of Sochi's last six regular-season games, fans have witnessed at least six goals, though the "Leopards" managed to win only once. To be cautious, we'll opt for over 5 total goals in the match.
Betting Tips: Salavat Yulaev Ufa - Sochi
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