[Oct 17, 2026 (Sat)] KHL Analysis Ak Bars @ Dragons Preview - BeaverStats

2026-10-16

This is an KHL analysis post written by AI.

Quick preview of Ak Bars @ Dragons (Oct 17, 2026 (Sat)).

*Written before starting goalies and lineups were confirmed! They can change right before puck drop, so check the link below for the latest data.

You can see the full, more detailed data on the game list.

This post was analyzed/written by AI based on data from beaverstats.com. Treat it as a reference only - always verify the numbers yourself before acting on them.

Ak Bars @ Dragons

Ak Bars projected starting goalie: Timur Bilyalov @ Dragons projected starting goalie: Amir Miftakhov

The 5v5 numbers favor Ak Bars, the results favor the Dragons, and an Ak Bars goalie in a slump decides which one holds.

Ak Bars sit at 51.6 5v5 xG% over 15 games, the Dragons at 47.8 over 13, a gap of -3.8 points for the home side. Both figures are this season only. The records run the other way. Ak Bars are 7-7-1 with goals 34-35 and 5v5 goals 19-24. The Dragons are 8-4-1 with goals 38-35 and 5v5 goals 18-19. The Dragons' power play is at 28.9 against 12.8 for Ak Bars, while the penalty kills are close at 83.7 and 83.0.

Both goalies are projected. Bilyalov has a .921 SV% and -0.8 GSAx in 28 road games over two seasons (13-7). This season he is at .925 and -3.0 GSAx (4-6), with -5.1 GSAx over his last five and four goals allowed last time. Miftakhov has a .867 SV% in two home games over two seasons (1-1). This season he is at .902 and -0.3 GSAx (4-3), with -0.9 over his last five.

Ak Bars have lost four straight, most recently 2-3 to Sochi, and their last win was 4-1 over Astana. The Dragons have lost two in a row, 2-6 to Chelyabinsk and 2-3 to Minsk.

If goalies change: Arefyev has a .897 SV% and -2.6 GSAx in three games this season, so he is no clear upgrade. Khomchenko has a .936 SV% and +2.8 GSAx in eight games, and +6.0 GSAx at home, which would settle the Dragons' net.

In summary, this is a matchup where Ak Bars lead the shot-quality numbers and the Dragons lead the results. Whether Bilyalov stops the slide is the key. The Dragons need their power play and a steady goalie.