[Oct 22, 2026 (Thu)] KHL Analysis Torpedo @ Ak Bars Preview - BeaverStats

2026-10-21

This is an KHL analysis post written by AI.

Quick preview of Torpedo @ Ak Bars (Oct 22, 2026 (Thu)).

*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.

Torpedo @ Ak Bars

Torpedo projected starting goalie: Dmitry Shugayev @ Ak Bars projected starting goalie: Timur Bilyalov

The team numbers lean Ak Bars when last season is included and Torpedo when only this season counts, while both projected goalies sit in negative GSAx.

With last season blended in, 5v5 xG% is 53.9 for Ak Bars and 50.4 for Torpedo, a 3.4-point home edge. This season alone it flips: Torpedo 53.8 over 16 games, Ak Bars 51.1 over 17. Torpedo are 10-5-1 with a 46-33 goal difference (31-24 at 5v5); Ak Bars are 9-7-1, 41-38 overall and 23-26 at 5v5.

Both goalies are projected. Shugayev has an .902 SV% and -6.2 GSAx in 11 road games, 2-6 as a starter; this season he is .904 with -2.3 GSAx over 6 games, 4-2. His last five GSAx is -2.1, and he allowed 4 last time out. Bilyalov is 16-9 at home with a .920 SV%, but his -10.3 GSAx is extreme, so much of that winning came from the team. This season: .929, -1.6 GSAx, 5-6 in 13 games; last five GSAx -3.5, and 1 goal allowed last time.

Ak Bars have won two straight, including 4-1 at Minsk. Torpedo lost 1-4 at Cherepovets. Torpedo won the most recent meeting 3-2 on Sept. 14.

If the goalies change, the picture shifts. Torpedo's Denis Kostin is .928 with +2.3 GSAx over 10 starts this season, and +17.5 GSAx on the road. Ak Bars' Maxim Arefyev is .899 with -3.0 GSAx in 4 games, -0.7 at home.

In summary, the baseline favors Ak Bars while this season's numbers favor Torpedo. With both projected goalies in the red, who actually starts, especially whether Kostin plays, is the key.