Shanghai Dragons vs Avtomobilist Prediction 22 September 2026
π The Shanghai Dragons have played fewer games than any other team in the current campaign, and their upcoming clash with Avtomobilist will be just their fifth outing of the season. The Chinese sideβs last appearance on the ice ended in a tough defeat to SKA, a loss that came seven days ago. Avtomobilist, meanwhile, arrive in similarly low spirits after conceding five goals in Minsk and falling short of a third-period comeback. Recent head-to-heads between these two have often been high-scoring affairs, and it was Avtomobilist who dominated the Dragons in preseason, cruising to a 6-0 victory.
Avtomobilist regularly find the net against the Dragons.
π While the head-to-head history between these teams is still in its early stages, their previous encounters have already established a certain dynamic in this matchup. Last season, they faced off twice, with both games turning into high-scoring affairs. Their most recent clash came on March 18, when Avtomobilist cruised to a 6-2 victory.
The sides met again over the summer in a friendly, where the Yekaterinburg club once more found the net six times-this time shutting out Shanghai completely in a 6-0 rout.
Head-to-head statistics Shanghai Dragons - Avtomobilist
The gap in defense keeps widening
Shanghai managed to claim wins over Neftekhimik and Dinamo Minsk, but even those victories couldnβt hide the teamβs main issue. In all four of their September games, the Dragons have conceded at least three goals per match. The trend is even more pronounced in their expected goals against: last season, their average xGA stood at 3.21, but that figure has now climbed to 3.76. A complete overhaul of the goaltending unit has yet to resolve the problem.
Their weaknesses were especially exposed against SKA. The St. Petersburg side found the net five times by the 34th minute, including three goals in the second period alone. Shanghai did create chances of their own-twice hitting the crossbar, once striking the post, and generating other opportunities-while Khripunov and Yashkin eventually cut into the deficit. However, they struggled again defensively and ultimately fell short (2-7). Frk will miss out due to injury, while Nikita Popugaev has been traded to Severstal.
Match Results: Shanghai Dragons
Avtomobilist often give their opponents opportunities.
Avtomobilistβs roster underwent significant changes over the summer, with Alexei Kudashov taking charge as head coach. However, consistency remains elusive. The Yekaterinburg side are capable of putting five past Sibir, converting 18.5% of their shots on target, yet just days later they squandered a two-goal lead against Avangard in three and a half minutes and fell in overtime (2-3). Their recent trip to Minsk once again exposed just how costly lapses in their own zone can be.
After two periods against Dinamo, Avtomobilist were already trailing by three goals. In the third, Sprong capitalized on a power play, Barabanov scored with six skaters on the ice, and overall the Ural club registered 13 shots on goal to Dinamoβs eight in the final frame. Still, it wasnβt enough to rescue the game (3-5). Post-match, Kudashov was direct about the root issue: the team are making it far too easy for opponents to score. Shashkov will miss the upcoming game due to injury.
Match Results: Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg
β‘οΈ Key Players
Brennan Menell has racked up seven points in four games for the Shanghai Dragons, tallying two goals and five assists. Dmitrij Jaskin has contributed five points with three goals and two assists, while Stepan Khripunov has found the net twice.
For Avtomobilist, Alexander Sharov leads the way with eight points through six games-one goal and seven assists. Anatoly Golyshev has registered seven points (three goals, four assists), and Adam Ruzicka has chipped in with five assists.
π₯ Goaltenders
Pavel Khomchenko has appeared in two games for the Shanghai Dragons, picking up one win. Heβs stopped 43 shots, posting a 93.5% save percentage and a 2.88 goals-against average. Amir Miftakhov has played three times, recording one win and two losses with an 87.7% save percentage and a 4.74 GAA.
Evgeny Alikin has started four games for Avtomobilist, earning two wins and two losses. He owns a 92.59% save percentage and a 2.315 goals-against average. Vladimir Galkin has featured in three games, suffering two defeats while stopping 91.11% of shots faced, with a 3.179 GAA.
βοΈ Editorβs Prediction
Shanghaiβs games have been high-scoring affairs so far, averaging 6.8 goals per match. The Dragons have conceded at least three times in every league outing, with their average xGA now up to 3.76. Avtomobilist arenβt exactly solid at the back either: they shipped five goals in their latest clash, and Alexei Kudashov singled out the ease with which the opposition found the net after the game.
The head-to-head history backs this up. Over 4.5 total goals has landed in seven of the last eight meetings between these sides in Shanghai. Whatβs more, Avtomobilistβs matchups with Sibir, Traktor, and Dinamo Minsk have all seen at least five goals scored. Given the current defensive frailties on both sides, this trend looks set to continue. My pick is over 4.5 total goals.
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Betting Tips: Shanghai Dragons - Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg
in 7 of last 8 home games (KHL).
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