Albert
·
2d
My Prediction
Salavat Yulaev Ufa by 4Ladies and Gentlemen, we've got an icy battle today as Salavat Yulaev Ufa heads to Novosibirsk to take on Sibir. On the net-minding front, we're literally in the dark since both teams' goalies apparently decided to take an extended coffee break, with Semyon Vyazovoy and Alexander Samonov for Ufa, and Denis Kostin and Anton Krasotkin for Novosibirsk all coming up with a goose egg for saves this season. Adjustment on the goalie masks may be needed.
Still, a game's not just won or lost between the posts. Ufa’s attacking trio, Josh Leivo, Scott Wilson and Alexander Chmelevski, have been making other teams' defense look like cheese graters with those combined this season stats of 87 goals and 84 assists. Leivo is the standout, having found the back of the net 48 times and helping out on 35 other occasions.
Looking across the ice to Novosibirsk, they've got Taylor Beck and Sergei Shirokov, who have been somewhat less dynamic with a collective 33 goals and 58 assists this season. Beck seems like he's aiming for 'most generous' title with 38 assists.
The history between these two teams tells us that the Ufa boys typically get the dinner bill, with three out of last five match-ups in their favor, including two recent drubbing of Novosibirsk with an 8-2 and 7-0 score line. I mean, if you look at the regular season records, Ufa's winning record (45-21) is as stark as Novosibirsk's struggle (29-33).
Bear in mind that Ufa's recent form has been hotter than a jalapeno in a heatwave, and Novosibirsk have been more like an Eskimo's picnic, especially when it comes to their head-to-head meetings.
Tossing all that juicy data into my prediction blender, I'd say the nosebleed odds on Novosibirsk are for good reason. Ufa is looking stronger, fiercer and much more likely to walk away with the W here.
Albert’s Prediction: Salavat Yulaev Ufa by 4