In this match, "Neftekhimik" will be playing at home and with a higher motivation, as they are currently fighting for a spot in the playoffs. The team has already lost some points in previous games, so they cannot afford another defeat. Moreover, "Lada" has already secured their place in the playoffs and the game may not carry as much significance for them. In the last encounter, "Neftekhimik" lost to "Lada", but that was on their away ground, and the situation will be different this time. They will be playing in front of their fans, who will support the team and provide additional motivation. The team will also aim for a goal-scoring game to earn the necessary points. Based on all these factors, it is likely that "Neftekhimik" will be able to win this match.
Based on previous matches and the current form of the teams, we can expect a tense game. Neftekhimik has shown inconsistent results on their home ice, making a win in regulation time unlikely. Lada, on the other hand, has had good defensive performances and can withstand the opponent's attacks. Furthermore, Lada showed a confident game in their last encounter and has a positive momentum from their victory. This can serve as an additional motivation for the team to continue their successful streak. In summary, I predict that Lada will not lose in regulation time and may even be able to secure a victory. However, due to the unpredictability and potential for unexpected situations in hockey, we can expect at least one point for Lada in this match.
Sibir and Lada are meeting again after their last match, in which Lada emerged victorious. Sibir, after such a defeat, needs to redeem themselves and show their strength. They will be focused on attacking hockey and will try to score goals against their opponent. However, Lada is a team that is always active in their attack and can score goals against any opponents. They will not back down and will also be aiming for a high-scoring game. Therefore, I expect that there will be a lot of goals scored in this match. My prediction is Over 4.5 goals. This prediction is supported by the history of previous matches between these teams and their playing characteristics. I am confident that we will see a high-quality hockey game with a good number of goals in this match.