Preview: Traktor Chelyabinsk at Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk

NIZHNEKAMSK, Russia (Interstat) — Two teams on the fringe of the Kontinental Hockey League playoff picture will meet Tuesday when Neftekhimik hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk at SCC Arena.

Both clubs enter the late-season matchup with nearly identical records. The home side, Neftekhimik, holds a slight edge at 31-33 overall, while Traktor sits at 29-33. With the regular season winding down, the contest carries significant weight for postseason positioning.

The season series has been tightly contested. The teams have split their two meetings in Nizhnekamsk this season, with Traktor winning 4-3 on Sept. 9, 2025, and Neftekhimik taking the most recent matchup 4-3 in Chelyabinsk on Nov. 5, 2025.

Traktor arrives after a hard-fought 3-2 shootout loss on the road to Metallurg Magnitogorsk on Sunday. Forwards Yegor Korshkov and Vasily Glotov each scored a goal in the defeat. The team has shown volatility recently, following a 5-0 road win over Torpedo on March 4 with shutout losses to CSKA Moscow and Ak Bars Kazan.

Defenseman Vladislav R. Yusupov is a player to watch for the visitors. He recorded a hit in the loss to Metallurg and has been a physical presence on the blue line in recent outings.

Neftekhimik snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over Admiral Vladivostok on Saturday. Forward Sevastyan Sokolov led the charge with two goals in that win. The team has struggled for consistent offense, however, having been shut out twice in its last six games.

Defenseman Fyodor Kroshchinsky will be key for Neftekhimik’s defensive efforts. He registered two hits in the win over Admiral and has been active physically in recent contests.

The game will be a test of resilience for both sides as they navigate a congested schedule and fight for critical points. Traktor will look to improve its road form, while Neftekhimik aims to build momentum from its latest victory and protect home ice.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time.