On February 23, 2025, Ak Bars Kazan will host Lada Togliatti as part of the KHL regular season, with the game set to begin at 17:00 MSK at Tatarstan Arena. This matchup carries significant weight, as Ak Bars currently aims to solidify its position for the playoffs, particularly after their recent victory against Neftekhimik, which saw them snap a four-match losing streak.
After facing several setbacks, the Kazan team emerged triumphant with a nail-biting overtime win of 3-2 against Neftekhimik last game. "The match promises to be exciting!" remarked local media, echoing the sentiments of fans eager for action. Ak Bars boasts a strong historical performance against their opponents, having won all three encounters this season with scores of 4-3, 3-1, and 3-1, contributing to their current 3-0 lead over Lada this season.
Currently, Ak Bars occupies the fourth position in the Eastern Conference standings with 74 points from 57 games, significantly bolstered by their offensive prowess led by Artem Galimov, who has accumulated 51 points this season. On the contrary, Lada finds itself struggling at the tenth spot after securing only 46 points from 56 matches. With their recent form marked by just two wins out of eight games, the Togliatti team faces challenges, especially after suffering defeat against Traktor.
Compounding their struggle, Lada will miss key players such as Evgeny Groshev and Pavel Koltygin, who are sidelined due to injuries. Their performance has dwindled, falling victim to ineffective power plays, with only 12.3% conversion rate — second-worst in the league. This is starkly contrasted by Ak Bars, who excel at neutralizing opponent advantages, showcasing the league's best penalty kill rate of 84.9%.
Historically, Ak Bars plays well at home, remaining unbeaten against Lada on their ice for seven consecutive matches, with the last loss dating back to February 2015. This trend adds to the home team's confidence as they stride onto the ice under the leadership of coach Anvar Gatiyatulin.
The game will be broadcasted live across multiple platforms, including KHL channels and TNV, ensuring fans do not miss any of the action. With injuries affecting both rosters and motivation levels fluctuated, observers are left wondering if this will be yet another chapter of dominance for Ak Bars or if Lada has any surprises up their sleeve.
Fans are bracing for what could be another thrilling addition to the storied rivalry between these two clubs, as both teams gear up for the showdown on February 23.