As the excitement builds in the KHL playoffs, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg prepares to host Ak Bars Kazan for the second match of their first-round series in the Gagarin Cup on Friday, March 28, 2025. The game is set to take place at the UGMK Arena in Yekaterinburg, with the puck drop scheduled for 17:00 Moscow time.
Fans can follow the key events of the Avtomobilist vs. Ak Bars matchup on the Sport-Express website, while the game will be broadcast live on the Kinopoisk online platform and the KHL channel. In Kazan, viewers can also catch the action on the TNV channel.
In the KHL regular season, Avtomobilist finished in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 89 points, just ahead of Ak Bars, who secured fifth place with 87 points. The first match of the series took place on March 26, 2025, where Ak Bars emerged victorious with a decisive 4-1 win.
Avtomobilist's loss in the opening game was a tough blow, especially considering they had a notable advantage in shots on goal, registering 37 compared to Ak Bars' 26. However, a combination of poor execution on offense and defensive mistakes led to their downfall. The Yekaterinburg team only managed to score in the final moments of the game while playing with an empty net, highlighting their struggles to convert opportunities into goals.
Despite the setback, Avtomobilist is determined to bounce back in the second match. Head coach Nikolai Zavarukhin emphasized the need for his team to improve their attacking strategies and minimize errors in defense. "We need to be more effective in our offensive plays and tighten up our defense to avoid giving up easy goals," Zavarukhin stated during a pre-game interview.
However, the task won't be easy. Avtomobilist will be without key player Kertis Valk for this matchup, which adds to their challenges. In contrast, Ak Bars will also miss two players, Nikita Evseev and Egor Babenko, as they look to build on their successful start to the series.
Ak Bars' performance in the first game showcased their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and play solid defense. Their goalkeeper, Timur Bilyalov, was a standout, saving 36 of 37 shots and keeping Avtomobilist at bay. The Kazan team has demonstrated resilience and adaptability throughout the season, making them formidable opponents.
As the series unfolds, the stakes are high for Avtomobilist. If they lose this game, they will head to Kazan facing a daunting 0-2 deficit in the series. Historically, Avtomobilist has struggled against Ak Bars this season, winning only once in five head-to-head matches. This trend has put additional pressure on the team to secure a win at home.
Bookmakers have set the odds for this matchup relatively evenly, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the outcome. A bet on Avtomobilist to win in regular time is listed at 2.55, while a victory for Ak Bars is priced at 2.70. The total goals line is set at under 4.5 at 2.00, indicating expectations for a closely contested game.
Looking ahead, analysts believe that this series could stretch to six or seven games, given the competitive nature of both teams. Experts had initially considered Avtomobilist to have the upper hand in terms of goaltending and defensive capabilities, but Ak Bars has proven that they can match up well.
In the lead-up to the game, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Avtomobilist responds after their disappointing first match. If they can harness their home-ice advantage and execute their game plan effectively, they might just turn the tide in this crucial playoff series.
As the puck drops this evening, all eyes will be on the UGMK Arena, where Avtomobilist aims to reclaim their momentum and level the series against a confident Ak Bars squad. The action promises to be intense, with both teams vying for a critical victory in the Gagarin Cup playoffs.
