SKA - Jokerit. Match day

SKA will play their fourth match of this KHL home series against HC Jokerit Helsinki.

These two teams played against each other not long ago in Finland, with Jokerit earning a surprise 3:2 victory. However, since that game in early January, the Finns have gone on a terrible five match losing streak. Such poor form has left them languishing in eighth place of the Western Conference, involved in a gritty playoff battle with Vityaz, Sochi, Slovan and Medvescak. Jokerit have only just returned from their Far Eastern trip too, where they gained just the one point.

Nevertheless, Jokerit won't be willing to give SKA an easy ride. Their current top scorer is Danish forward Peter Regin with 42 points (14+28), while number one goaltender Ryan Zapolski has a 91.4 saves percentage.

In complete contrast, SKA have won the last five on the bounce, pulling away from CSKA Moscow at the top of the KHL table. The previous victory was a thrilling 6:2 triumph over Sibir, a match in which the team had to recover from a second period blip. Ilya Kovalchuk boasts an impressive total of 66 points (25+41), more than anyone else on SKA's team.

The SKA - Jokerit match will begin at 19.30 local time inside the Saint Petersburg Ice Palace. Life78 and KHL TV will broadcast live, and you can follow events on our official Twitter account.