Both Ak Bars and Traktor are struggling to find their rhythm in the early stages of the regular season after big changes over the summer. The boys from Kazan reached the Gagarin Cup final last year but have only managed two regulation wins so far this campaign and sit just outside the top spots in the East. Traktor on the other hand are rooted to the bottom of the conference with just one regulation victory in eight games and their attack has looked toothless in most outings.
Team Form
Ak Bars have shown flashes at home but their form away from home remains patchy with too many games going to overtime or ending in defeat. Traktor have been even worse on the road losing five of their eight matches in regulation time including a 2-1 defeat to Ak Bars earlier in the season. The Chelyabinsk side have failed to score more than one goal in five of their last eight outings which tells you plenty about their current struggles.
- Ak Bars: two regulation wins from ten games, sitting in playoff positions but with a slim gap to the leaders
- Traktor: one regulation win from eight games, last place in the East conference
Tactical Analysis
Ak Bars need to tighten up at the back and use their home advantage to control the play from the start. If they can keep Traktor quiet in the first two periods the visitors attack is unlikely to find a way through. Traktor coach Scott Gordon has plenty to answer for as his forwards have been shut out far too often and the power play has not clicked yet this season.
Betting Proposal
Given the poor scoring record of the visitors and Ak Bars solid home record so far the smart money is on the hosts to take all three points. Ak Bars to win at home with odds of 2.00 looks the value play here after looking at both teams recent results and attacking output.
