Lokomotiv Yaroslavl vs Barys Astana Prediction 20 September 2026
π Lokomotiv remain the only unbeaten side in the league, with the Yaroslavl club winning all six of their opening games. Barys, meanwhile, have been far less predictable: they've scored at least six goals in three matches, but also suffered two defeats along the way. The Astana team arrive in Yaroslavl after being shut out in Magnitogorsk. Thereβs extra intrigue in this head-to-head, too-last time out, Barys stunned everyone with a commanding win.
Last season ended with both sides trading emphatic victories.
π Last season, Lokomotiv and Barys faced off twice, with neither clash turning out to be a close contest. Lokomotiv cruised to a commanding 5-1 victory in the first meeting, while Barys hit back with a shutout win of their own, 4-0. On home ice, the story strongly favors Lokomotiv: the Yaroslavl side have avoided defeat in regulation time in 16 of their last 17 home games against Barys.
Head-to-head statistics Lokomotiv Yaroslavl - Barys Astana
No one has managed to stop Lokomotiv so far.
Six games, six wins. Dmitry Kvartalnovβs side remain the only unbeaten team in the league, despite already facing CSKA, Severstal, and Avangard. Lokomotiv have looked especially solid in recent outings: both Severstal and Avangard managed just two goals apiece, but that was enough for the Yaroslavl club to secure back-to-back victories. Alexander Radulov has also made a strong start to the campaign, racking up nine points from six appearances.
Against Avangard, the hosts fired 43 shots on target while allowing just 23 in response. Radulov opened the scoring on the power play, and Artyom Kuzin netted what proved to be the game-winner in the second period (2-1). Avangard pushed for a late equalizer, but Daniil Isaev preserved Lokomotivβs lead. That win marked Lokomotivβs sixth straight triumph. Berezkin and Kayumov will miss out through injury.
Match Results: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Barys show two completely different faces.
Astanaβs start to the championship has been a tale of contrasts. In their victories, Mikhail Kravetsβ side racked up seven goals against Sibir, eight against Salavat Yulaev, and six versus Lada. But those high-scoring performances were interrupted by very different results-a 1-3 defeat to Amur and then a shutout loss to Metallurg. The pattern is clear: after netting six in Tolyatti, Barys failed to score at all in their next outing.
In Magnitogorsk, the game slipped away from the visitors almost immediately. By the tenth minute, Metallurg had already found the net three times, prompting Hunter Shepard to be replaced by Andrei Shutov. Barys managed to keep things tight from there, and in the third period they earned several power play opportunities but couldnβt break through (0-3). Shutov stopped all 15 shots he faced after coming on. Shestakov will miss the upcoming match due to injury.
Match Results: Barys Astana
β‘οΈ Key Players
Alexander Radulov has racked up nine points in six games for Lokomotiv, tallying four goals and five assists. Egor Surin follows with seven points-four goals and three assists-while Rushan Rafikov has contributed six points, scoring once and providing five assists.
For Barys, Justin Bailey leads the way with nine points in just five outings, notching five goals and four assists. Garrett Pilon has picked up five points (two goals, three assists), matched by Mason Morelli, who has one goal and four assists to his name.
π₯ Goaltenders
Daniil Isaev remains unbeaten in all five of his starts for Lokomotiv, stopping 129 of 135 shots for a .956 save percentage and a goals-against average of 1.19. Alexei Melnichuk played one game and also earned a win, making 23 saves on 24 shots for a .958 save percentage and a 1.01 GAA.
Hunter Shepard has started five games for Barys, picking up three wins and two losses. Heβs turned aside 88 of 100 shots for an .880 save percentage and a 2.92 GAA, including one shutout. Andrei Shutov played 49 minutes and 57 seconds, stopping all 15 shots he faced.
βοΈ Editorial Prediction
Barys have demonstrated on several occasions just how dangerous their offense can be, but their performances remain wildly inconsistent. After putting six past Lada, the Astana side failed to find the net against Metallurg. Now, they face Lokomotiv, who have started the season with six straight wins, while Daniil Isaev boasts a remarkable 95.6% save percentage.
Head-to-head stats also support this prediction. Barys have lost three out of their last four meetings with Lokomotiv by at least a two-goal margin. While Barys did win the most recent clash 4-0, Lokomotivβs current streak canβt be ignored. My pick is a Lokomotiv win with a -1.5 handicap.
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Betting Tips: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl - Barys Astana
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