Barys - SKA. Match day

Following the two victories over HC Yugra and Avangard Omsk, SKA have arrived in Kazakhstan looking for a third win in a row against Barys Astana.

Games against Barys are generally always goal filled, and given recent events, this match really does have blockbuster status. Having been relieved of his duties in Saint Petersburg Andrei Nazarov didn't sit on the sidelines for long, and was instantly reinstated as head coach of Barys. He currently has one win from his first three matches in Kazakhstan (4:3 OT against Spartak), and he will be full of motivation for today's fixture. This match will also be Barys' first official match at their new arena, a stadium which can hold up to more than 11000 spectators. A full house is expected, and Barys' fans will hope that their new home will lead to an upturn in fourtnes. After 27 games Barys languish in 12th place of the Western Conference with 31 points, and are in desperate need of points. Nevertheless ex SKA defenceman Kevin Dallman has been productive with 17 points (3+14), and their first line of Brandon Bochenski-Nigel Dawes-Dustin Boyd already has a combined total of 57 points.

Our team have moved up to seventh of the Western Conference after those two wins in a row, and a third today will make everyone feel even more confident before the Euro Hockey Tour break. Swede Joakim Lindstrom has been hot recently with two goals against Yugra and Avangard, and goaltender Ilya Ezhov impressed with a solid performance in Omsk.

The Barys - SKA match will begin at 16.30 Moscow time in Astana, Kazakhstan. Life78 and KHL TV will both broadcast the game live, and you can keep up to date with events by following our official Twitter account.