As we gear up for another frozen face-off between Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and Kunlun Red Star, let's chew over some stats. Now, it appears we've hit a goalkeeping conundrum. Neither team's goalkeepers seem to have saved anything yet, not even a single cheeseburger slide across the bar.
Turning the steely gaze of the commentator upon Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, we spy Maxim Shalunov and Stepan Nikulin making waves with 5 goals and 2 goals, and 6 assists apiece last month. Artur Kayumov is not to be forgotten either, dancing around the ice with 3 goals and a couple of assists under his belt in the same period. Now, if I know players, and I like to think that I do, you'll be hearing their names more times than your favorite song on a cheap jukebox.
But let's not discount the Red Star. Tomas Jurco's been lazing a trail on ice, netting 3 goals and 6 assists, matching Nikulin’s performance but for a different jersey. Nail Yakupov came out of nowhere with 7 goals this season, as if he's signed a personal contract with the back of the net.
Looking at the past skirmishes between these two, it's clear that Lokomotiv Yaroslavl isn’t just playing checkers, they're playing 4D interdimensional hockey, winning 5 out of the last 5 head-to-head duels. Throw in their impressive regular season record of 12 wins versus 2 losses and the scales are tipping more than a diligent bellboy on New Year's Eve.
Kunlun, ambling along with their 6-8 record, have had a few sparks of brilliance, such as their recent 3-0 victory over Severstal Cherepovets. But honestly, it seems like they'd need a miracle on ice to topple the Yaroslavl juggernaut.
So, when it comes down to it, if I were a betting man – and not just a charming voice behind a microphone – I'd be banking on Lokomotiv Yaroslavl cruising to victory once more. Let's say by a margin of 3, based on their recent goal differences.
Albert’s Prediction: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl by 3