Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk vs Shanghai Dragons Prediction 28 November 2025
📣 On Friday, the Shanghai Dragons aim to bounce back after their crushing defeat against Chelyabinsk's Traktor (0-9). This time, Gerard Gallant's squad will face Nizhnekamsk's Neftekhimik, who secured a thrilling victory over Avangard on Tuesday (6-5). Will the players treat us to another high-scoring spectacle? This prediction seeks to answer that question.
Head-to-Head
Last season, Neftekhimik and the former Kunlun met twice and exchanged away victories. In Nizhnekamsk, the Chinese team, true to form, picked up numerous penalties but managed to hold firm while shorthanded, securing a 3-1 win with a disciplined performance in the third period. In Mytishchi, the "Wolves" routed the hosts with a 5-2 victory. Notably, forward German Tochilkin, a former Kunlun player, scored twice. In recent years, neither team has clearly emerged as the favorite in this matchup. It's also worth noting that these teams often struggle to determine a winner in regulation time.
Head-to-head statistics Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk - Shanghai Dragons
Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk Team Overview
The Wolves have had a solid start to the season and currently sit in the playoff zone, occupying fifth place. Igor Grishin's squad went through a rough patch between November 16 and 23, suffering four consecutive losses, which prompted decisive actions from the coaching staff. While they haven't managed to tighten up their defense, their offense-especially on the power play-has been impressive. They pulled off a remarkable comeback against the Hawks. In one of Neftekhimik's power-play units, players like Duszak and Tochilkin, who are no strangers to the Chinese club, are currently making an impact. Keep an eye on these players as we anticipate some productive performances from them.
Match Results: Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk
Shanghai Dragons Team Overview
The Shanghai team continues to display inconsistency, alternating between victories and defeats. On Wednesday, they were unprepared for the onslaught from Chelyabinsk, unable to contain Kravtsov and his squad. Interestingly, the "Dragons" still hold a playoff spot, but they feel the pressure from the Moscow and St. Petersburg "Army Men," who have been on an upward trajectory in recent games. The coaching staff urgently needs to take decisive action. It's no surprise that after the debacle in Chelyabinsk, rumors began circulating about the potential dismissal of Gallant's assistant, David Nemirovsky. The specialists have struggled to organize their defense, relying solely on the offensive prowess of Labanc and Clendening.
Match Results: Shanghai Dragons
🏒 Projected Lineups
Neftekhimik: Dolganov - Serikov, Pastukhov - Belozerov, Mityakin, Artamonov
Shanghai Dragons: Rybar - Harpur, Reilly - Labanc, Quinney, Merkley
🥅 Goalkeepers
The "Wolves" goaltending duo features Philipp Dolganov and Yaroslav Ozolin. The latter has been struggling with his duties, so we expect to see Dolganov between the pipes again. Over 26 games, Philipp has a respectable goals-against average of 2.48, although he has been less reliable in his last two outings.
Former Spartak and Dinamo Minsk goalie Patrik Rybar is the Dragons' number one this season. The Slovak has played 21 games since the start of the regular season, posting a goals-against average of 2.82 and recording two shutouts. However, in the clash against Chelyabinsk, Patrik faltered and was quickly replaced by his colleague Tikhomirov.
Editor's Prediction
Both teams have been struggling defensively in recent matches, which leads us to consider a bet on the total over 5 goals. This total has hit in four of the last five head-to-head clashes between the "Wolves" and "Dragons". The Shanghai side, eager for redemption, are gearing up to launch an offensive assault, while Nizhnekamsk are always ready to respond with a sharp counterattack. A high number of penalties could also support this bet, as both Neftekhimik and the Shanghai Dragons rank among the league's top ten in power play efficiency.No comments
Betting Tips: Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk - Shanghai Dragons
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