SKA - Lokomotiv. Presenting the opponents

CURRENT STANDINGS

2. SKA, 3 matches, 2 victories, 1 overtime defeat, goal difference 10-8, 5 points

3. Lokomotiv, 3 matches, 3 victories, goal difference 12-4, 6 points

FORM

Following a large squad overhaul in the summer, SKA made somewhat of a nervy start to the 2020/2021 KHL regular season, narrowly defeating Neftekhimik 2:1 in Nizhnekamsk before losing 2:3 to Ak Bars in overtime in Kazan and seeing off the challenge of Torpedo in a 10-goal thriller 6:4 in Nizhny Novgorod.

Lokomotiv, on the other hand, are currently protecting an unbeaten run after thrashing Spartak 7:2 at home, beating Amur Khabarovsk 2:0 in Yaroslavl and edging past Dynamo Moscow 3:2 in the Russian capital. The Yaroslavl-based organisation, coached by Andrei Skabelka, have proven to be solid in defence while clinical at the other end with their scoring opportunities.

Last season, SKA contrived to concede two defeats to Lokomotiv in the league, dropping a 3:4 overtime loss and a 1:2 setback in Saint Petersburg.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Naturally, these teams are yet to meet in the current KHL campaign, but they did face each other in pre-season. At the Sochi Hockey Open, SKA did tally emphatic 6:0 and 6:2 triumphs over Lokomotiv in the first two games, but the opponents subsequently won the next couple of matches 6:2 and 3:2.

Ilya Konovalov, 22, has impressed in the Lokomotiv net by registering a save percentage of 94.1% and a goals against average of 2.00 in his two matches to date. Daniil Isaev gained a shutout in his only appearance so far.

As for SKA, Alexander Samonov played in the two matches with Neftekhimik and Ak Bars to earn a save percentage of 93.4 and a goals against average of 2.00, before Magnus Hellberg made 38 saves against Torpedo (90.5%, 4.00).

POINTS LEADERS IN SEASON SO FAR

SKA

Anton Burdasov: 3 points (3+0)

Andrei Kuzmenko: 3 points (2+1)

Vasily Tokranov: 3 points (2+1)

Igor Ozhiganov: 3 points (1+2)

Joonas Kemppainen: 3 points (0+3)

LOKOMOTIV

Magnus Paajarvi Svensson: 4 points (2+2)

Yegor Korshkov: 3 points (2+1)

Vladimir Tkachyov: 3 points (1+2)

Maxim Osipov: 3 points (0+3)

WHERE TO WATCH

Puck drop at the Ice Palace is scheduled for 19:30 local time. Match TV, KHL TV, KHL TV HD and Channel 78 will provide a television broadcast in Russia, while you can read live text on our official Twitter account.