Scouting Report
These two are closely matched in overall FO% (45.5% vs 44.6%). Look for Kulich on defensive-zone draws (75% H2H, 8 meetings). Kulich wins 45.0% vs left-shot opponents — Cates shoots left.
Prediction Breakdown
Model
XGBoost ML Model
Overall FO% (Bayesian)
Kulich 46.2% vs Cates 45.1% (+0.9%)
H2H factor
Kulich leads 11-8 in 19 meetings
Offensive zone
Kulich 74.5%
Defensive zone
Cates 62.3%
Neutral zone
Cates 51.5%
Result
Noah Cates favored at 53.3%
46.7%
53.3%
Kulich
Cates
Head-to-Head Record
11
-
8
(19 meetings)
11
8
Kulich
Cates
Last 8: Kulich 5-3 Cates
Zone Breakdown
Offensive Zone
Even
1
1
Kulich
Cates
2 total
Defensive Zone
Edge: Kulich
6
2
Kulich
Cates
8 total
Neutral Zone
Edge: Cates
4
5
Kulich
Cates
9 total
Situation Matchup
Situation
Kulich
Cates
Edge
Even Strength
45.4% (513)
46.7% (912)
-1.3%
Power Play
53.1% (32)
33.9% (56)
+19.2%
Penalty Kill
30.8% (13)
35.0% (137)
-4.2%
On power play, Kulich has a +19.2% edge.
Handedness & Splits
Handedness
Cates shoots left. Kulich is 45.0% vs left-shot opponents (373).
Kulich shoots left. Cates is 43.4% vs left-shot opponents (767).
Home / Away
Kulich
Cates
Home
46.8% (267)
46.1% (521)
Away
44.3% (291)
43.3% (584)
By Period
Kulich
Cates
P1
45.6%
48.0%
P2
48.0%
42.3%
P3
42.9%
44.3%
OT
0.0%
31.3%
Final 5 min
42.6%
42.5%
Recent Form
Player
Last 50
Last 200
Career
Kulich
46.0%▲
43.5%
45.5%
Cates
46.0%▼
50.0%
44.6%
Recent Faceoffs
| Date | Period | Time | Zone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 29, 2025 | 3 | 13:44 | Defensive | Jiri Kulich |
| Mar 29, 2025 | 3 | 09:30 | Offensive | Noah Cates |
| Mar 29, 2025 | 3 | 07:32 | Neutral | Noah Cates |
| Mar 29, 2025 | 3 | 07:25 | Defensive | Jiri Kulich |
| Mar 29, 2025 | 3 | 00:00 | Neutral | Jiri Kulich |
| Mar 29, 2025 | 2 | 00:00 | Neutral | Noah Cates |
| Mar 29, 2025 | 1 | 03:54 | Neutral | Jiri Kulich |
| Mar 29, 2025 | 1 | 00:00 | Neutral | Jiri Kulich |