Roster Rundown
Torpedo heads into this matchup with some notable players worth keeping an eye on. Bogdan Konyushkov, with his solid defensive skills, stands out, having racked up a commendable number of blocked shots this season. Vladislav Firstov, known for his quick hands and agility, adds a layer of unpredictability to the forward line, clocking in impressive ice time and a handful of crucial assists. On the offensive side, Sergei Goncharuk has been a consistent performer, leading the team in goals scored with his ability to finish plays. Ivan Kulbakov has been reliable between the pipes, with a save percentage hovering in the high .900s, keeping the team afloat amidst challenges. On the downside, Alexei Sergeyev and Kirill Voronin will be absent, which might shake up the defensive pairings and force a bit of lineup juggling.
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl boasts its own stars. Alexander Yelesin, a steady presence on the blue line, has been a rock with his physical play and strong passing. Up front, Maxim Shalunov brings his sniper skills, topping the team's goal charts with his lethal slapper. Pavel Kraskovsky, a versatile forward, has been pivotal in both ends of the rink, leading the team in assists. Returning to bolster the net is Daniil Isayev, whose quick reflexes and high save percentage have been a cornerstone for Lokomotiv's recent success. They'll be missing the services of Richard Panik and Bogdan Kiselevich, two players who’ve contributed significantly to their recent run, which might open up opportunities for the younger guys to step up.
Head-to-Head
In their storied history,
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl leads the series with 30 wins to
Torpedo's 23 in their 56 matchups. Recent encounters have seen Lokomotiv coming out on top, reinforcing their upper hand in this ongoing rivalry.
Recent Form
Torpedo has been struggling lately, dropping their last five games. They fell to
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl twice, 2-0 and 3-1, then narrowly lost to SKA St. Petersburg 2-3, Severstal Cherepovec 2-3, and Sibir Novosibirsk 3-2. It's been a rough patch, and they need a big turnaround to change the narrative.
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, in stark contrast, is riding a winning wave. They've bested
Torpedo twice, 2-0 and 3-1, and notched victories against Dynamo Moscow 1-4, CSKA Moscow 1-3, and Admiral Vladivostok 4-1. Their form has been red-hot, setting up a confident squad for this encounter.
Wrap-Up
Torpedo's recent struggles are undeniable, with their last five outings yielding no wins, a streak they’ll be eager to end. They face a formidable
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl squad that has not only shown dominance in their head-to-head battles but is also riding a five-game winning streak.
Torpedo's lineup changes, due to key absences, might add a layer of complexity to their strategy. Lokomotiv, while missing a few of their own, seems to have the depth to cope, having demonstrated their ability to adapt and thrive.
Summary
With Lokomotiv on a roll and
Torpedo in a funk, this game could see Lokomotiv extending their dominance. They've got the momentum, the form, and the stats to back them up.
Torpedo, unless they tighten up their defense and get their offensive engines firing, might find it tough to break Lokomotiv's stride. The ice is set, and fans are in for a treat with these two teams locking horns once again.
Match Odds Torpedo – Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Leon's odds are 40 on Torpedo winning on their territory.
At this moment our odds are equal to 1.2 on Lokomotiv Yaroslavl visiting team's winning.
Draw odds are 4.3.
