Neftekhimik vs Shanghai Dragons 9/6/2026

Neftekhimik will play game #1 of the season!

9/6/2026           vs Shanghai Dragons            ⏰ 5:00 pm           KHL WEB

Neftekhimik will play its first of four home games.

Shanghai Dragons will play its first of four road games.

Injuries:

Shanghai Dragons: Martin Frk.

Career Milestone:

Neftekhimik goaltender Filipp Dolganov may play his 150th KHL game (currently he played 149 games).

Neftekhimik: Second year for Grishin, building on a solid foundation

Igor Grishin embarks on his second consecutive season as head coach of the Neftekhimik organisation, following a campaign that must be regarded as unequivocally successful. Not only did the team secure a playoff berth, but they also delivered an energetic, fast–paced brand of hockey that generated considerable enthusiasm among the fans. In the opening round of the Gagarin Cup, the Nizhnekamsk side mounted a resolute challenge against Avangard, ultimately leaving a distinctly favourable impression on fans throughout the league.

The off–season was characterised by measured continuity rather than sweeping overhaul. The management made targeted acquisitions aimed at enhancing offensive creativity, with Artur Tyanulin and Alexander Petunin – the latter a Gagarin Cup champion. Preseason games have indicated that several younger players, including Viktor Andreichenko, Sergei Artemyev, and Timur Kol, are poised to assume prominent roles during the forthcoming campaign. Vladislav Yeryomenko and American import Timothy Lovell – a mobile defenseman distinguished by a reliable first pass – also demonstrated considerable promise. Meanwhile, the team’s established leaders have confirmed their readiness through consistent performances. Head coach Igor Grishin continues to refine the squad in accordance with his characteristic tactical philosophy: fast, aggressive hockey that actively integrates defensemen into the attacking phase.

Shanghai Dragons: A new era under Kovalchuk and Artyukhin

The Shanghai Dragons enter their second season based in St. Petersburg, and for the first time in their history, the club is guided by a leadership tandem that has commanded immediate attention across the league. In the spring of 2026, Ilya Kovalchuk – Olympic champion and three‑time Gagarin Cup winner – assumed the presidency, significantly elevating the organisation’s profile. Evgeny Artyukhin was appointed general manager; the former forward, who has competed both overseas and in the KHL, as well as representing the national team, spent the previous three seasons as a scout within the Vegas organisation. It is a noteworthy detail that Artyukhin himself wore the Neftekhimik jersey just a couple of seasons ago.

Kovalchuk and Artyukhin have effectively build an entirely new roster, retaining only four players from the previous season. The most significant acquisition is Dmitry Yashkin – a two–time recipient of the KHL’s Golden Stick award – who joined on a one‑year contract from Ak Bars. Additional reinforcements include defenseman Calen Addison (a former NHL player, noted for his mobility and elite transitional passing), Nick Petan, Pavel Koledov, and notably Vladislav Barulin, who departed Neftekhimik earlier this summer.

The Dragons’ on–ice identity is rooted in a robust, physically imposing style of play. The management has publicly stated the organisation’s primary objective: to contend for a playoff spot and aim for a second–round appearance, a milestone that would represent an unprecedented achievement in the club’s history.

Head–to–Head Record

Across 28 meetings (including the franchise’s tenure as Kunlun Red Star), the games have consistently produced high–scoring and intensely contested affairs. The four most recent encounters are:

26 December 2025: Shanghai Dragons vs Neftekhimik 3–4 (OT)

28 November 2025: Neftekhimik vs Shanghai Dragons 7–5

4 December 2024: Kunlun RS vs Neftekhimik 2–5

25 November 2024: Neftekhimik vs Kunlun RS 1–3

Neftekhimik has emerged victorious in three of the last four meetings, and the matches have traditionally been marked by prolific scoring–exemplified by the 12 goals registered in the November 2025 clash.

Outlook for the upcoming game

Both teams commence the season with unblemished records, adding a layer of unpredictability, as neither has yet contested an official match. Neftekhimik will enjoy home–ice advantage, and Igor Grishin has previously demonstrated his ability to galvanise the squad in front of their own supporters. Conversely, the Dragons arrive with a drastically reshaped roster and an entirely new tactical framework. As is often stated in the sport, the final verdict will be delivered on the ice. We cordially invite all fans to attend this compelling encounter between Neftekhimik and the Shanghai Dragons. The contest promises to be a captivating spectacle, and both sides are expected to deliver a performance worthy of the occasion.