The 2023/2024 regular season of the Continental Hockey League is upon us. We're looking at the opening match of a gigantic gaming day, the second match in three days and the third in six days between these two teams. Amur in Khabarovsk will once again host Salavat Yulaev from Ufa.
The Khabarovsk club's decline continues, with seven consecutive losses dragging the team down the league table. However, it's worth noting that in their last three matches, Amur has managed to lose only outside regulation time, thus securing an additional point, which somewhat alleviates the dire situation due to poor results. Their recent ice performance has been decent, and they missed a win in the last match only in the last minute of the third period. The comeback of Hohlačēvs and, crucially, Broadhurst, promises to bolster Amur's attacking potential.
After 54 matches, the team from Khabarovsk currently sits in tenth place on the league table, with 53 points, earned from 17 victories in regulation time. Their tally also includes four wins outside of regulation time, plus 11 losses with an additional point taken. The remaining 22 matches were lost by Amur without extra points. Offense is Amur's biggest problem, as they rank second-to-last with 121 goals scored. The conceded goals situate them better at eighth place with 142 pucks.
Contrastingly, the Ufa club is in fine form, having lost very few points. Over their last five encounters, Ufa has lost only one point to Barys due to a shootout, while securing victory in the other four. Among those wins include two outside of standard match duration against Amur. The return of Liivo has proved instrumental; he clinched an overtime win, and in his last match, he slotted the decisive shootout to secure at least two extra points for his team, helping them achieve the necessary edge. Salavat Yulaev stands in third place on the league table, collecting 72 points after 54 matches.
These points were obtained via 28 wins within regulation time, six outside of regulation, and another four losses accompanied by an additional point. Salavat Yulaev lost the remaining 16 matches without any bonus points. The team from Ufa occupies third place in the conference for goals scored, having netted 159 goals, and shares first place with Ak Bars, having conceded only 116 goals.
Amur and Salavat Yulaev have contested 50 matches, with the former securing just 19 victories compared to a dominant 31 wins for the latter. In the current season, Salavat has won all three encounters: 4:1 in regulation, 3:2 in overtime, and a 3:2 shootout win.
Irrespective of the bookmakers, I'd venture the risk and bet on Amur to win this second match.
In terms of total points, I'd opt for TO (4.5) at odds of 1.94. The teams have failed to surpass this total in back-to-back matches, although they've approached it extremely closely both times. Hence, there seems to be a fair chance to exceed this total in the upcoming encounter.
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