SKA - Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Match day

SKA's final home match of 2015 will take place today against HC Metallurg Magnitogorsk.

Today's opponents are regarded as one of the KHL's biggest clubs, and have a long history of producing top players such as Evgeni Malkin. Just a year ago in 2014 they won the KHL Gagarin Cup, and are always among the favourites for the title. Nevertheless last season they were knocked out by HC Sibir Novosibirsk in the playoffs, and they have been off colour this campaign too. Following three defeats in a row to Salavat Yulaev 2:6, HC Sochi 1:2 and Spartak Moscow 2:3 they have dropped to sixth of the Eastern Conference, and face an uphill battle to get back to the top of the table. Goaltender Vasily Koshechkin has been slightly shaky, while young Ilya Samsonov has been a revelation and already holds a 92.9% saves percentage from fourteen appearances. Top line figures Sergey Mozyakin, Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar continue to be the main danger men boasting a combined 108 points (51+57).

Our team have risen above HC Dynamo Moscow into sixth of the Western Conference with 68 points, and are going through a fantastic run of form taking seven victories in a row (Lada 3:2 OT, Lokomotiv 3:2, HC Sochi 3:2 OT, Spartak 5:0, Traktor 3:2 OT, Neftekhimik 2:1 OT and Salavat Yulaev 5:3). SKA's top scorer continues to be Vadim Shipachyov with 34 points (9+25).

The SKA - Metallurg Magnitogorsk match will begin at 19.30 local time inside the Saint Petersburg Ice Palace. Life78 and KHL TV will both broadcast the game live, and you can keep up todate with events either by following our online matchcentre or our official Twitter account.