On March 18, 2025, Avtomobilist will host Salavat Yulaev at the UGMK-Arena, marking the continuation of their home series against one of the leaders of the Eastern Conference. This match promises to be highly competitive as both teams aim to solidify their playoff positions.
The match is set to start at 17:00, local time. Fans unable to attend can catch the action on BST (3+) and KHL Prime (3+), along with online streaming on Kinopoisk (3+).
Avtomobilist has seen ups and downs this season, playing 65 games and accumulating 85 points, which places them fourth in the Eastern Conference. With 171 goals scored and 157 conceded, their form has fluctuated recently; they lost three of their last five matches to Dynamo Moscow (1:4), Ak Bars (1:3), and CSKA Moscow (3:4). Nonetheless, they have managed to secure victories over Vityaz (2:1), Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (2:1), and HK Sochi (6:3) at home.
Despite struggling initially at their new home arena, where they faced defeat against CSKA, Avtomobilist is now building some momentum. They demonstrated resilience against Torpedo by clinching the win just eight seconds before the final buzzer, followed by a commanding victory against Sochi, where they netted six goals.
Coach Nikolai Zavarukhin must address the impact of injuries within his squad, particularly the losses of Curtis Volk and Jessi Blacker, who were expected to play key roles offensively. This setback particularly complicates their offensive strategies, especially during power plays.
On the other hand, Salavat Yulaev stands firm atop the conference, earning 87 points from 65 matches, tallying 201 goals against 156 against them. They are enjoying significant success, winning four out of their last five games, including impressive performances against Admiral (6:3), Amur Khabarovsk (3:1 and 2:1), and Dynamo Minsk (4:3).
Viktor Kozlov's team has been demonstrating remarkable stability, overcoming their only recent setback against Dynamo Moscow (1:3). Star forward Joshua Leivo is nearing Sergei Mozyakin's record for most goals scored during a single KHL regular season, with 45 goals to his name. He has succeeded in scoring points consistently, not leaving the ice without contributions in six straight matches, showcasing top-notch finishing skills.
Salavat Yulaev has also marked itself as one of the most potent attacking teams, bolstered by Leivo, Alexander Khmelevsky, and Danil Tarasov, whose contributions create significant threats to opposing goaltenders. Yet, their defense has exhibited vulnerabilities, conceding six goals across two recent fixtures. Averaging 2.39 goals allowed per match, they sit among the top five for most goals conceded aimed at teams vying for playoffs.
The teams have met three times this season, with Avtomobilist winning two encounters decisively (6:1 and 4:1) but Salavat Yulaev claiming one victory (5:3). Experts predict equal chances for both teams going forward. With the intensity of their rivalry, this match promises to bring forth thrilling hockey.
Betting analysts have already weighed options, with Avtomobilist favored to win with odds of 2.40, and Salavat Yulaev’s win odds listed at 2.50, with draws at 3.85. The expectation is for more than 4.5 total goals, with odds set at 1.70 for surpassing this mark.
Fans can expect nail-biting action; both teams have strong offenses and are motivated to position themselves advantageously before the playoffs. The players will take to the ice with high stakes, presenting not just skill but also the determination to earn their respective playoff standings. With home field advantage for Avtomobilist and Salavat's aggressive playing style, predictions lean toward thrilling and high-scoring gameplay.
For the local sports community, every point from this fixture is of utmost importance. Avtomobilist aims to leverage its home crowd, hoping to use the support to ignite momentum as the playoffs approach, meanwhile Salavat Yulaev will strive to maintain their stronghold atop the conference.
At this juncture, the anticipation flows not only from past performance statistics but also from the potential for new narratives to emerge from this gripping matchup. Will Avtomobilist secure their standing or will Salavat Yulaev showcase their prowess and close the season on top? Fans eagerly await the outcome today at UGMK-Arena.
