Barys Astana vs Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk Prediction 26 September 2026
π Barys return to Astana after a road trip that saw them pick up six points out of a possible eight. Their last two wins were especially impressive-Lokomotiv were handed a five-goal shutout, while Dynamo Moscow fell 1-4. Neftekhimik also come into this clash on the back of a big result, having just put seven past Lada. Thereβs an added layer of intrigue here: last season, Barys lost all four head-to-head meetings against this opponent.
Four matches, four wins
π In last seasonβs regular campaign, Neftekhimik swept all four head-to-head clashes against Barys. One of those meetings saw the Nizhnekamsk side keep a clean sheet, edging out a 1-0 victory in mid-January. Goals have generally been at a premium in this matchup, with the average total across those four games standing at just 4.5 goals.
Head-to-head statistics Barys Astana - Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk
Keeps finding new ways to impress
Not long ago, it would have been hard to picture Barys among the frontrunners in the East, but Mikhail Kravetsβs side are now pulling off wins against top-tier opponents. They routed Lokomotiv with a 5-0 victory, then put four past Dynamo Moscow. What stands out is how few shots they needed to do it: in both games, Barys never registered more than 23 shots on target, yet they found the net nine times in total. In Moscow, Garrett Pilon scored twice, while Jake Massie and Justin Bailey each added a goal.
The win over Dynamo capped off a lengthy road trip in which Barys picked up six points out of a possible eight. The contest in Moscow was anything but easy-Barys blocked 41 shots, and Andrei Shutov allowed just one goal. His shutout streak ended at 137 minutes and 40 seconds. Now, after an extended spell away from home, Barys finally return to Astana.
Match Results: Barys Astana
Shootout on the ice
In the first five games of this stretch, Neftekhimik consistently held their opponents to no more than two goals, even though their average xGA stood at 2.91. But that defensive stability vanished abruptly. Metallurg put six past Neftekhimik, despite the Wolves leading 2-1 after the opening period. Over the remaining 40 minutes, their offense also lost steam: after firing 14 shots on target in the first period, they managed just 11 combined in the second and third.
Neftekhimik bounced back in style against Lada, turning the contest into a shootout of their own (7-3). The team converted 20% of their shots on goal, capitalized on both of their power play opportunities, and even netted a shorthanded goal. Damir Zhafyarov bagged a brace, while Andrey Belozerov played a part in several scoring plays. It was a striking turnaround: after two disappointing outings, Neftekhimik responded with their most prolific performance of the stretch.
Match Results: Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk
β‘οΈ Key Players
Justin Bailey has racked up 12 points (7+5) in just seven games, boasting a +8 plus/minus rating. Heβs found the net seven times from 33 shots, converting at an impressive 21.2%. Garrett Pilon has tallied 9 points (4+5), remarkably scoring four goals on only seven shots. Defenseman Jake Massie has contributed 8 points (3+5), averaging 21:31 of ice time per game and leading this trio with a +10 rating.
For Neftekhimik, Andrei Belozerov leads the way with 9 points (3+6) over eight appearances. Damir Zhafyarov, fresh off a brace against Lada, has climbed to 7 points (4+3). Artur Tyanulin has featured in seven games and registered 6 points (3+3).
π₯ Goaltenders
Andrei Shutov has conceded just one goal on 91 shots so far. In three outings, heβs picked up two wins, posted a stellar .989 save percentage, a goals-against average of 0.35, and has already recorded a shutout. Hunter Shepard has played five times with a 3-2 record, but his numbers are less impressive-an .880 save percentage and a 2.92 goals-against average.
Yaroslav Ozolin is unbeaten in three starts for Neftekhimik, stopping 94 of 97 shots for a .969 save percentage and a 1.00 goals-against average. Filipp Dolganov has made five appearances with a 2-3 record, turning aside 90.2% of shots for a 3.20 goals-against average and notching one shutout.
βοΈ Editorial Prediction
Last season's four defeats to Neftekhimik could be misleading-this Barys side is a different proposition entirely. Over their last three victories, the Astana club have racked up 15 goals, including five against Lokomotiv and four against Dynamo Moscow. Meanwhile, Neftekhimik's defense has started to look vulnerable, conceding 11 goals in their last three outings-an average of 3.6 per game. Now Barys return home after a successful road trip. My pick: Barys over 2.5 goals (individual total).
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Betting Tips: Barys Astana - Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk
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