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[Oct 21, 2026 (Wed)] KHL Analysis Salavat Yulaev @ Metallurg Mg Preview - BeaverStats

2026-10-21

This is an KHL analysis post written by AI.

Quick preview of Salavat Yulaev @ Metallurg Mg (Oct 21, 2026 (Wed)).

*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.

Salavat Yulaev @ Metallurg Mg

Salavat Yulaev projected starting goalie: Semyon Vyazovoi @ Metallurg Mg projected starting goalie: Alexander S. Smolin

The team numbers are close, so this game may come down to Vyazovoi's +17.5 road GSAx against Smolin's +15.0 GSAx this season.

Blending last season with this one, 5v5 xG% is 50.3 for the Salavat Yulaev side and 51.0 for the Metallurg Mg side. Looking at this season alone, it is 53.7 for Salavat Yulaev and 49.8 for Metallurg Mg. The records are far apart. Metallurg Mg is 14-3-1 with a 58-33 goal difference, while Salavat Yulaev is 9-8-1 at 52-56.

Both goalies are unconfirmed. Vyazovoi has a .934 SV% and +17.5 GSAx in 32 road games over two seasons, but his last five games total -2.5 GSAx. Smolin has a .939 SV% and +15.0 GSAx in 14 games this season, with +4.2 GSAx over his last five.

Metallurg Mg has won five straight, most recently 4-2 over Yekaterinburg. Salavat Yulaev has lost its last game, 2-0 at Vladivostok. Metallurg Mg won 7-1 in their meeting on Oct. 9, though that is a small sample.

If Salavat Yulaev goes with Bogdanov instead, the picture changes: he has a .873 SV% and -2.9 GSAx in two games this season. If Metallurg Mg uses Zavragin, he has a .935 SV% and +1.5 GSAx in six games, so little changes for the hosts.

In summary, the 5v5 numbers are close, but the record and recent form favor Metallurg Mg. Salavat Yulaev needs Vyazovoi's road form to hold, and whether Smolin keeps up this season's pace is the key.