Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Ak Bars Kazan for the second game of the Gagarin Cup final today, May 13, 2026, at Arena 2000 in Yaroslavl. With Lokomotiv currently leading the series 1-0, the puck drops at 19:00 MSK as the Kazan-based team attempts to equalize the series score.
Series Momentum at Arena 2000
The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) championship series enters its second act in Yaroslavl. Following a victory in the opening encounter, Lokomotiv holds a 1-0 advantage, placing significant pressure on Ak Bars to respond immediately. The matchup, scheduled for 19:00 MSK, sees the series remain in Yaroslavl at Arena 2000, where the home side looks to extend its lead.
While Lokomotiv enters the game with the psychological edge of a series lead, the competitive gap remains narrow. Analysts suggest the first game did not necessarily prove one team is definitively stronger than the other, leaving the second match as a critical juncture for Ak Bars to establish their presence in the final.
Betting Odds and Predictive Models
Bookmakers view Lokomotiv as a small favorite
for the second game. Odds for a Yaroslavl victory in regulation time are set at 2.20, while a win for Ak Bars is priced at 2.95. The possibility of the game extending into overtime is listed with a coefficient of 3.90.
Expectations for scoring remain conservative. Analysts do not anticipate an open, high-scoring game, with the total of under 4.5 goals available at a coefficient of 1.75. Those betting on a higher-scoring affair, over 4.5 goals, face a coefficient of 2.10.
Looking at the broader series, Betsity lists the odds for the eventual Gagarin Cup winner as 1.77 for Lokomotiv and 2.05 for Ak Bars. However, algorithmic forecasting offers a different perspective. A supercomputer prediction suggests Ak Bars will ultimately win the series 4-2, assigning a 23.2% probability to that specific outcome. Other scenarios, such as a five-game series win, are viewed as less likely at 14%, while a seven-game stretch is estimated at 13.7%.
The Power Play Variable
A primary tactical divide between the two finalists lies in their performance during man-advantage situations. Statistical data indicates a significant disparity in power play efficiency that could decide the outcome of the second game.
Ak Bars enters the match with a strong conversion rate, averaging 26.5% on the power play. In contrast, Lokomotiv has struggled in these scenarios, with a realization percentage of 16.7%. This gap suggests that discipline will be paramount for Yaroslavl; any penalties taken could provide Ak Bars with the most viable path to scoring and shifting the series momentum.
Outlook for the Final
The second game serves as a litmus test for Ak Bars’ ability to adapt to Lokomotiv’s defensive structure. For Kazan, a loss today would leave them facing a 2-0 deficit, a position that historically complicates the path to a championship. For Lokomotiv, a second consecutive win would solidify their status as the frontrunner for the 2026 title.
The focus remains on whether Ak Bars can leverage its superior power play to overcome the home-ice advantage held by Yaroslavl. With the series currently tilted toward the hosts, the outcome of tonight’s game at Arena 2000 will determine if the final becomes a dominant run by Lokomotiv or a closely contested battle of attrition.