Jokerit - SKA. Introducing the opponents

CURRENT STANDINGS

15. Jokerit, 35 matches, 15 regulation victories, 3 overtime victories, 2 penalty shootout victories, 12 regulation defeats, 2 overtime defeats, 1 penalty shootout defeat, goal difference 107-85, 43 points

3. SKA, 41 matches, 23 regulation victories, 1 overtime victory, 2 penalty shootout victories, 9 regulation defeats, 2 overtime defeats, 4 penalty shootout defeats, goal difference 129-89, 58 points

FORM

This will be the third meeting between Jokerit and SKA in the 2020/2021 KHL regular season. On November 10, SKA emerged victorious 4:1 in Helsinki, Finland, before the Finns subsequently gained revenge 20 days later with a narrow 2:1 penalty shootout win in Saint Petersburg.

Jokerit have been struggling for consistency in the current campaign. Nevertheless, they are enjoying a successful home series at the moment, having previously defeated Severstal Cherepovets (4:3 SO) and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (4:3 OT) at the Hartwall Arena in their most recent two matches. As it stands, Jokerit occupy eighth position of the Western Conference with 43 points on the board, but they have played six games less than seventh-placed Spartak Moscow who hold 44 points.

Since the international break, SKA have been in impressive form, claiming points in all four matches. Producing strong performances, our players earned triumphs over CSKA Moscow (4:3 SO) and Severstal (2:0) at the Ice Palace, before tallying one point against Dynamo in Moscow (1:2 OT) and registering an important victory over Sochi (4:1) at the Bolshoy Ice Dome. SKA are now only two points behind leaders CSKA in second spot of the conference, but it must be noted that the Muscovites do have two games in hand.

POINTS LEADERS IN LAST FIVE MATCHES

JOKERIT

Henrik Haapala: 5 (4+1) points

John Norman: 3 (0+3) points

Veli-Matti Savinainen: 2 (2+0) points

SKA

Vladimir Tkachyov: 6 (1+5) points

Andrei Kuzmenko: 5 (4+1) points

Joonas Kemppainen: 4 (2+2) points

32-year-old Swede Anders Lindback has been a reliable figure in the Jokerit net, recording a 91.8% save percentage, a goals against average of 2.46 and one shutout in 19 appearances to date. He has played in all of Jokerit's last four games.

Alexander Samonov (91.7%, 2.25) has competed in both matches of this road trip so far against Dynamo Moscow and HC Sochi.

WHERE TO WATCH

Puck-drop is scheduled for 19:30 Moscow time. KHL TV HD and Channel 78 will provide a television broadcast in Russia, whereas you can purchase a live video on the KHL's official website. Text updates can be found on our Twitter account.