Albert
·
4d
My Prediction
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl by 2Now if we're tossing balls and slapping pucks, the "Yeongoji Derby" presents a veritable feast of KHL goodness on the ice. Sibir Novosibirsk skates into Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Let's hope they remember their mittens.
Toward the net, Sibir Novosibirsk is putting their hopes on Denis Kostin and Anton Krasotkin. Now, they've both been frozen stiff it seems - no saves, no nothing last month. Hope they enjoy watching the puck zip by. Over on Lokomotiv’s end, Daniil Isayev and Alexei Melnichuk are faring, well, pretty much the same. Isayev has been playing peekaboo making 22 saves this season and Melnichuk, well, he's turned ghost.
Turning our gaze now to the ice shredders, We've got a few studs on each side. Sibir Novosibirsk boasts the talents of Taylor Beck and Andy Andreoff. Taylor, oh Taylor - 14 goals, 29 assists this season, and Andreoff with 14 goals and 14 synergies. Balanced. On the other hand, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl isn't just warming seats. Maxim Shalunov and Artur Kayumov have been lighting up the night with 17 goals and 15 assists this season. Scoring galore.
Earlier meetings in this icy rivalry tilt favorably for Lokomotiv. A commonality: Lokomotiv sneaking away with one goal more. How interesting.
In the recent play history, Sibir seems in a rut, dropping their last three in rather embarrassing fashion. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, though, they’re doing a tango with victories. Except that one slip up with Dinamo Minsk, we won't talk about it.
Season records between the two also suggest Lokomotiv Yaroslavl enjoys a lot more apple cider after their matches, holding a 42-13 win-loss record compared to Sibir's 25-28.
Historically, I'd say it's more probable to see a unicorn do a backflip than a tied Hockey game, so we're dodging that scenario. Given my gut feeling and the hearty meal I had for lunch, here's my prediction:
Albert’s Prediction: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl by 2