Salavat Yulaev Ufa vs Avtomobilist Prediction
🔊 The series between the Ufa and Yekaterinburg clubs shifts to the capital of Bashkortostan. Over the course of two games, fans witnessed intense battles, numerous penalties, standout performances from the goalkeepers, and... only three goals scored over 120 minutes of play combined. Should we expect more high-scoring hockey in Ufa? Let's delve into the statistical trends and patterns ahead of the third game in this first-round series of the Gagarin Cup 2026.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over the past three seasons, Salavat Yulaev and Avtomobilist have clashed 14 times: the team from Ufa claimed victory in five matches, while the Yekaterinburg side triumphed in nine. In the current series, both teams have traded shutout wins - the hosts prevailed 2-0 in the first game in Yekaterinburg, while the visitors took a 1-0 victory in the second.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Salavat Yulaev Ufa Team Overview
The Ufa club, much like their opponents, doesn't appear in the top scoring rankings-three goals between them over two matches was unexpected by any expert. However, the goaltending lines in this series are arguably the strongest of the first round. In our 2026 Gagarin Cup preview, our editorial team suggested that one of the games in this series could very well end 0-0 in regulation time.
When it comes to defense, though, both teams are nearly perfect-Ufa averages 1.00 goals against, while the Urals team allows just 0.50. Ufa's first victory marked their 100th playoff win for the club from Bashkortostan (only six teams have won more Gagarin Cup games) and the 200th for Viktor Kozlov.
Match Results: Salavat Yulaev Ufa
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg Team Overview
The Ural club ranks among the top three teams in the Eastern Conference for shots taken, with 63 shots (averaging 31.5 per game). However, due to a low goal tally or perhaps stellar goaltending, Avtomobilist's conversion rate is quite low at just 3.17%, which is the second-lowest in the tournament, only ahead of Salavat Yulaev's 1.72%.
Despite the lack of goals, the games have been far from dull. The teams have collectively accumulated 42 penalty minutes over two matches. Salavat Yulaev have converted 25% of their power play opportunities, while Avtomobilist are yet to score with a man advantage.
Match Results: Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg
Latest news
Salavat Yulaev Ufa
💬 Salavat Yulaev forward Sheldon Rempal: "There was a lot of battling out there, and one goal decided the match. We knew how important it was to score first, and we did just that. The rink in Ufa is bigger, which might open up more space, but in the playoffs, defense wins games, and I liked how we played today."
❌ Salavat Yulaev's injury list still includes defenseman Alexander Komarov.
↔️ The loss in the first game forced the coaching staff to shuffle both the lineup and line combinations. Forwards Maksim Kuznetsov and Vladislav Yefremov, who was sidelined due to injury, returned to the roster. They replaced Denis Yan and Ildar Gazimov. Evgeny Kuznetsov played on a line with Alexander Zharovsky.
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg
💬 Avtomobilist defenseman Nikita Tryamkin: "We didn't score, which means we weren't good enough. We lacked that gritty goal and need to be much more aggressive, forcing them to make mistakes. Then things will go our way."
❌ Avtomobilist have no injured players on their roster.
↔️ Yevgeny Alikin remains the backup goaltender for the game. The coaches made no changes to the lineup or combinations among the skaters after the first game.
⚡️ Leaders
In two games, Salavat Yulaev have managed just one goal. The scorer was Yegor Suchkov, assisted by Yevgeny Kulik and the team's top scorer in the regular season, Sheldon Rempal. The Canadian tallied 46 points (15 goals, 31 assists) during the regular season.
Avtomobilist forward Daniel Sprong shares the lead in the scoring race with five other players, having netted a brace in his debut KHL playoff game. Alexander Sharov, Jesse Blacker, and Vladimir Galkin each have one assist to their name.
🥅 Goalies
As expected, the standout goalies are Semyon Vyazovoy and Vladimir Galkin. Salavat Yulaev's netminder has stopped 61 shots over two games, boasting a 96.8% save percentage and a goals-against average of 1.01, earning his first career shutout in the Gagarin Cup.
Vladimir Galkin has turned away 57 shots with an impressive 98.3% save percentage and a goals-against average of 0.51, also recording one shutout. Yevgeny Alikin, who suffered a concussion, remains on the roster as a backup but has yet to participate in the series.
Editorial Prediction
Salavat Yulaev, having secured a win on the opponent's ice, now holds the home-ice advantage, which they are likely to capitalize on in front of their fans. In their last 10 out of 11 games in Ufa, Viktor Kozlov's squad have avoided regulation-time defeats. Rather than speculate on whether this match will be high-scoring, let's suggest that Salavat Yulaev will not lose in regulation time once again (double chance 1X).
Betting Tips: Salavat Yulaev Ufa - Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg
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