Ak Bars - SKA. Match day

Following four home matches in a row, SKA have travelled to the Tatar capital Kazan to take on HC Ak Bars.

These two teams have already met once this season, as in Saint Petersburg Ak Bars replied to Evgeny Ketov's goal with three markers of their own to take it 3:1. Since that win the Kazan outfit have picked up somewhat after a difficult start to the season, and currently occupy eighth place of the Eastern Conference with games in hand over their rivals. Nevertheless they have struggled to find any consistency, and have not been able to win two games in a row. Their previous matches were against Metallurg Magnitogorsk away (2:1 SO) and Salavat Yulaev Ufa (2:4). Their current top scorer is forward Justin Azevedo with 30 points from 32 appearances (9+21), while ex SKA defenceman Nikolai Belov has registered two assists. Number one goaltender Emil Garipov holds a solid 92.6% saves percentage.

Our team is going through a positive run of form with Sergei Zubov, having won three out of the four home matches (Dynamo Moscow 3:2, Vityaz 5:3 and Barys 5:1). Nikita Gusev was particularly impressive, as he took five points from those matches. Vadim Shipachyov continues to be SKA's top scorer with 26 points (6+20), while Mikko Koskinen has seen his goaltending statistics rise to 91.9%.

The Ak Bars - SKA match will begin at 19.00 local time inside the Tatneft Arena, Kazan. Life78 and KHL TV will both broadcast the game live, and you can keep up to date with events either by following our match centre or our official Twitter account.