Metallurg Magnitogorsk triumphed over Salavat Yulaev with a score of 4-2 in their latest KHL regular season match, solidifying their position as strong contenders within the Eastern Conference. The game, held at the Metallurg Arena, saw Metallurg showcase resilience and skill against their rivals.
Earlier, the match kicked off at 19:00 local time (Ufa), marking the conclusion of Salavat Yulaev's seventh away game series. Fans who couldn’t make it to the arena were offered free streaming options on BCT (3+) and KHL Prime (3+), as well as through the online cinema platform Kinopoisk (3+).
Metallurg had come off a successful road trip, having gained four points from six possible. Under the guidance of head coach Andrei Razin, they achieved convincing victories against Torpedo (5-3) and Lada (4-0), albeit facing defeat at the hands of Dynamo Moscow (2-3). Their performance against Avtomobilist showcased their potential, especially during the second period where they netted four consecutive goals, though they allowed two goals later, culminating in a 4-2 final score.
Currently, Metallurg occupies the fifth spot in the Eastern standings with 44 points, demonstrating solid form throughout the season. On the other hand, Salavat Yulaev entered the match having triggered a remarkable six-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents by 21 goals to 5. Their streak included notable wins against Spartak, Traktor, and Ak Bars from Kazan. Yet, following the international break, they stumbled against Kazan, losing 2-3, but still held onto second place with 48 points.
The matchup history between these two teams reveals fierce competition, as they have faced off 87 times within the KHL framework. Salavat Yulaev has managed to win 37 times (with 27 wins by regulation, 7 by shootout, and 3 by overtime), scoring 208 goals, whereas Metallurg leads with 43 victories (31 wins by regulation, 9 by shootout, and 3 by overtime), netting 200 goals.
Prior to the game, betting odds indicated close competition, with Metallurg's victory rated at 2.50, Salavat Yulaev's at 2.60, and the tie at 4.05. Analysts suggested betting over 4.5 total goals was rated at 1.73, with under 4.5 at 2.10, signaling expectations for an engaging game.
During the match, Metallurg found the back of the net with goals from Eгор Коробкин and Денис Зернов, alongside two goals from Данила Юров, showcasing the team’s offensive capabilities. Salavat Yulaev's Джош Ливо also made his mark by scoring both goals for his team. The breakdown of the match followed this scoring: Korobkin opened the scoring at 5:16, equalized by Livo at 12:19, and then Zernov returned the lead for Metallurg at 26:42. Yurow extended this to a 3-1 advantage at 28:33 before Livo struck again just before the second period ended, narrowing the margin to 3-2. Yurow capped off the scoring with his second goal, sealing the game at 4-2 for Metallurg at 58:18.
Following this significant victory, Metallurg continues to prove their mettle, inching closer to the top teams within the Eastern Conference, and setting the stage for future encounters. Salavat Yulaev, meanwhile, must regroup and address their vulnerabilities as they seek to reclaim their winning form.
