As the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) regular season approaches its climax, Ak Bars Kazan embarks on its final away series to encounter Barys Astana and Sibir Novosibirsk. Scheduled for March 20 and 22, 2025, these matches are crucial as they represent the last opportunity for teams to compete in regular-season play before the playoff season begins.
On March 19, Ak Bars announced its roster, which includes 28 players: three goalkeepers, nine defenders, and 16 forwards. Among them is Maxim Arefyev, who has primarily played for Kazan's secondary team, Bars, throughout the season. Also making the trip is defender Albert Yarullin and forward Nikita Dynyak, both returning after missing recent games due to health issues.
In their first match of this series, Ak Bars will face off against Barys on March 20 at 17:30 in Astana. Notably, Barys is struggling significantly this season, currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with only 35 points from 66 games and a dismal goal difference of 98:215. Latest reports reveal that Barys suffered a home defeat against Sibir, further complicating their attempt to regain form.
The top scorer for Barys, defender Adil Beketaev, has managed to tally 19 points (5 goals, 14 assists) across 60 games, but the entire team has struggled to find success, making them the worst team in the league when it comes to playing with unequal lineups, with a failure rate of just 10.8% in expressed advantageous situations.
Meanwhile, Ak Bars heads into this match with a solid record of 83 points in 66 games, ranking fifth in the Eastern Conference. Their recent performance includes a tough overtime loss at home to Vityaz, where they fell 2-1, along with standout forward Artem Galimov, who leads the team with 59 points (35 goals and 24 assists).
The historical matchups between Ak Bars and Barys heavily favor the Kazan team, having triumphed in 44 of the 54 previous encounters. This season alone, Ak Bars has bested Barys in all three meetings thus far, demonstrating their dominance with a goal difference of 15:4 in those games. Notably, Barys has not managed to defeat Ak Bars in their last eight confrontations, with their last victory dating back to December 2022.
Moreover, Ak Bars' well-rounded roster, including significant contributions from players such as Arefyev and Galimov, and their tactical expertise under coach Anvar Gatiyatulin should play a crucial role in their upcoming matches. The team's ambitions will be to maintain their momentum heading into the playoffs.
On March 22, Ak Bars will face Sibir in Novosibirsk, which could potentially yield another victory, given the current form of both teams. The match is set to be another test as Ak Bars looks to solidify its position before the playoff season commences.
For fans eager to watch the action, the game against Barys will be broadcast live on TNV and TNV–Planeta. Additionally, fans will be treated to the "Ak Bars Show" featuring live coverage, insights, and analysis before and during the match.
As the KHL regular season concludes, the anticipation builds for how well Ak Bars can perform and if they can carry their success into the playoffs. With such a motivating schedule ahead, players and fans alike are ready for an intense and thrilling finish to the season.
