The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) is set to host an exciting matchup between Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg and CSKA Moscow on March 10, 2025, at the UGMK-Arena. This game is particularly significant as it marks the first time Avtomobilist plays on their new ice, and both teams are eager to secure points during the closing stretch of the regular season.
Avtomobilist currently stands fourth in the Eastern Conference with 81 points from 62 games, only one behind third-place Metallurg. The team experienced considerable ups and downs of late, suffering three consecutive losses against strong opponents: losing 1-3 to Metallurg, 1-4 to Dynamo Moscow, and most recently 1-3 to Ak Bars. This unfortunate stretch has raised concerns about their performance and ability to make the playoffs at full strength.
Despite these struggles, the club has demonstrated reliability at home, ranking among the best teams for home games with only 69 goals conceded all season. Last month's game against Ak Bars marked Avtomobilist's ability to bring their winning attitude back on their home turf as they secured victory with a 2-1 scoreline, creating hope for fans as they head to their new rink.
CSKA, on the other hand, has capitalized on their recent form, rising to third place also with 81 points, just trailing Dynamo Moscow by two. The team has showcased their competitive edge by winning five of their last six matches, including impressive away victories against Salavat Yulaev (4-2) and Barys (3-0). Their last game resulted in a narrow 2-3 overtime loss to SKA, but they quickly bounced back, defeating Torpedo on home ice.
With 9.9% efficiency on power-play opportunities, CSKA operates as one of the more effective teams on the ice this season, boasting not only the strength of their offense but also their unique capability to perform effectively during shootouts—winning five out of eight attempts. The Moscow outfit is distinguished by their impressive consistency, particularly their ability to maintain score under pressure, which makes them formidable opponents.
Looking at head-to-head matchups, Avtomobilist has historically dominated CSKA on their home ice, not having lost during the regular time against them for five out of the last six games. Each time they met at UGMK-Arena, the Yekaterinburg squad managed to pull off four wins and one draw, building upon their confidence against their rivals.
Despite Avtomobilist's home advantage and past successes, they have shown vulnerability recently, needing to shake off the rust of three losses away from home. Their recent games caused questions about their offensive capabilities, as they've only managed seven goals across their last five games and struggled defensively. Coach Nikolai Zavarukhin will need to recalibrate his team to evade slipping outside of the playoff spots as the season dwindles down.
On the injury side, Avtomobilist will be without players Jesse Blacker, Curtis Volk, and Sergei Zborovsky, which could impact their depth and strategy going against the seasoned CSKA team, who will miss Vitaly Abramov and Colby Williams for the same matchup. This absence could shift the complexity of the game, pushing Avtomobilist to seek reliable offensive options, one of which they hope can still be fulfilled by their leading scorer, Stephan Da Costa, who leads the squad with 55 points (14 goals and 41 assists).
Betting circles have indicated varying opinions on the game's outcome. According to bookmakers, Avtomobilist's odds stand at 2.40, with CSKA slightly favored at 2.70, and draws weighing at 4.00. The combined total of more than four and half goals sits at 1.00, which has attracted attention based on the high-intensity style of play both teams have displayed throughout the season.
Betting expert Anatoly Emelin weighed in, favoring Avtomobilist’s victory, stating, “Considering the significant historical edge Avtomobilist has against CSKA, their motivation to refuse to lose at home, and CSKA’s mixed results against elite competition, their victory seems likely. Even though forecasting total goals might be tricky, this match promises to bring the excitement with at least six goals scoring across its duration.”
With Avtomobilist showcasing their determination and CSKA bringing their relentless pursuit to take the lead, this matchup shapes up to be gripping. Expect the teams to showcase their best, battle for every puck, and prepare for what promises to be one of the must-see games of KHL's regular season.