Albert
·
3d
My Prediction
Traktor Chelyabinsk by 3Here's a hearty slap shot to your expectations! We have an intriguing face-off on the ice between Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, and the ostentatiously named Traktor Chelyabinsk, a name so robust it could sideline a Zamboni.
Now, Nizhnekamsk is backed up by their goalkeep dynamic duo, Ozolin Yaroslav, and Filipp Dolganov. Oddly enough, they've been as effective as a glass hammer this season, with Dolganov making 41 saves all season, and Yaroslav still searching for his first.
Their counterpart, Traktor's goalies, Zach Fucale and Sergey Mylnikov, seem to be practicing an avant-garde strategy of zero saves, perhaps to induce a sense of false confidence in their opponents.
Nifty Nikita Khoruzhev and the prodigious Andrei Belozyorov have been the frontline for Nizhnekamsk this season carrying most of the team's offensive weight. Now contrast this with Traktor's terrifying titan, Vitaly Kravtsov, who's racked up 21 goals and 22 assists this season. You could say he's sort of been reenacting The Nutcracker on the ice, a one-man show stealing the spotlight.
Looking to past performances, Traktor seems to have been bulldozing Nizhnekamsk in their recent encounters, so one might argue the tide is in their favor.
And when it comes to the season records, let's face it, Nizhnekamsk's 18-30 record is about as disappointing as a hockey puck flavored ice cream, contrasted with Traktor's solid 38-18 scoreline.
So buckle up your chinstraps folks, because I expect Traktor to mow Nizhnekamsk over in a frosty grudge match of epic proportions.
Albert’s Prediction: Traktor Chelyabinsk by 3