Severstal Cherepovec vs Torpedo Prediction
🔊 Severstal have delivered their best-ever regular season in the KHL. They caught a break in the playoffs as well, drawing arguably the most favorable opponent in terms of both statistics and current form for the first round. However, Torpedo are sure to put up a fight. What can we expect from the start of the series? Let's dive into the statistics and trends ahead of the opening game of the 2026 Gagarin Cup Round of 16.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over the past three seasons, Severstal and Torpedo have clashed 12 times: the Cherepovets club claimed victory in eight matches, while the Nizhny Novgorod side won four. Notably, the "Steelmen" have triumphed in 4 of the last 5 head-to-head encounters. The teams have yet to meet in the playoffs.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Severstal Cherepovec Team Overview
Andrey Kozyrev's team secured third place in the Western Conference during the regular season, marking the best finish in the history of the club from Cherepovets. For more details on how bookmakers view this historic achievement, our editorial team covered it in the Gagarin Cup 2026 preview. Throughout the season, Cherepovets averaged 2.90 goals per game, while conceding 2.72.
The playoffs will hinge on teams' ability to manage two-minute penalties effectively. Severstal ranks fifth in the Western Conference for power play conversion at 20.5%, and fourth for penalty killing efficiency at 80.2%.
On home ice, the "Steelworkers" won 58.8% of their games-only three clubs had a better record. Their average goals scored at the Ice Palace in Cherepovets are slightly lower than their overall average, at 2.82 goals per game. However, defensively, Severstal performs better at home, conceding just 2.56 goals per game during the regular season.
Match Results: Severstal Cherepovec
Torpedo N. Novgorod Team Overview
The Nizhny Novgorod club finished sixth in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, securing victories in over half (54.4%) of their games. Although they slipped from the top three in the last month and a half of the regular season, the Volga team's average scoring stats are slightly lower than their opponent's, with 2.81 goals scored per game and the same number conceded.
In terms of power play efficiency, Alexey Isakov's team trails Severstal slightly, ranking sixth among Western Conference teams with a 20.3% conversion rate. However, their penalty kill statistics are concerning, with only a 74.5% success rate, placing them second-to-last in the league.
On the road, Torpedo have won 55.9% of their matches, which is the third-best record in the conference. Alexey Isakov's squad has lower scoring averages away from Nizhny Novgorod, managing just 2.53 goals per game. However, their defensive play on the road is impressive, conceding only 2.65 goals on average.
Match Results: Torpedo N. Novgorod
Latest news
Severstal Cherepovec
💬 Severstal's head coach Andrey Kozyrev: "The playoffs are starting-it's a completely different tournament, so the games we've played against Torpedo don't hold much significance. A short bench? At the moment, everyone is healthy and ready to put on their best performance."
❌ In the final games of the regular season, the team played without their top scorer, as Ruslan Abrosimov was injured. However, the coaching staff has announced that the forward has recovered and is ready to support the team in the first round.
Torpedo N. Novgorod
💬 Torpedo's head coach, Alexey Isakov: "Our series will feature thoughtful hockey. It's crucial to perform well in the first game. Throughout the series, we'll try to surprise each other. For us, the most important thing is not to give the opponent chances through our mistakes and to minimize them as much as possible. We need to maintain our style, but if necessary, be prepared to tactically adjust certain situations."
❌ Torpedo approach their first playoff game without any injured players.
⚡️ Key Players
The standout point-scorer for Severstal is Ruslan Abrosimov, who has racked up 48 points (24 goals, 24 assists) over 62 regular-season games. Key contributors in the preliminary rounds, Mikhail Ilyin and Ioannis Kaldis, have each dished out 30 assists. Forward Ilya Ivantsov is hitting form just in time for the playoffs, having delivered in three of his last four outings.
Nizhny Novgorod's offensive hopes rest heavily on their top scorer and leading sniper of the regular season, Yegor Vinogradov, who tallied 54 points (24 goals, 31 assists). One of the league's most productive defensemen, Robert Nardella, recorded 38 assists this season. Maxim Letunov ranks among the top three in interceptions in the KHL.
🥅 Goalies
Despite not boasting the most impressive defensive stats, the goalies from both sides are ready to make their mark. Alexander Samoylov will be Severstal's starting netminder for the playoffs. He played 45 games in the regular season, boasting a save percentage of 91.4% and a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.22. His backups are Konstantin Shostak, who has appeared in three playoff games, and Vsevolod Skotnikov, who has yet to see playoff action.
In Nizhny Novgorod, there's anticipation for the return of prime Denis Kostin. While his recent performances have dipped slightly, his season stats remain solid with a save percentage of 92.4% and a GAA of 2.26 over 44 games. Kostin has playoff experience with Siberian clubs, having played in 16 postseason matches. Dmitry Shugaev will serve as his backup against Severstal, bringing his own playoff experience from his time with Severstal.
Editorial Prediction
Both coaches have hinted, either directly or indirectly, in interviews that the teams will aim to play "prudent hockey." What exactly this means will become clear after the first game. However, head-to-head stats suggest we might be in for a competitive matchup. Severstal have never won by more than one goal against Torpedo in their last nine home encounters. Moreover, in the final games of the regular season, Severstal lost by a margin of at least one and a half goals in 9 out of their last 11 matches. Our editorial choice for the first game of the series is Torpedo to win with a (+1.5) handicap.
Betting Tips: Severstal Cherepovec - Torpedo N. Novgorod
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