SKA - Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Match day

On the 13th of January, SKA will play their second match of this KHL home series against HC Metallurg Novokuznetsk.

As usual, Metallurg, who have long been the KHL's perennial strugglers, have lost any hope of making the Gagarin Cup playoffs. Languishing in last place of the Eastern Conference with a mere 30 points, the Novokuznetsk outfit have had a torrid campaign, winning only 10 of 48 games. They're the league's lowest scorers too, having scored a poor 75 goals. It's not too challenging to see where their problems lie, especially given that they have failed to score in three of their past five matches. Nevertheless, they put in a spirited effort against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday, losing only 0:2 as goalkeeper Vladislav Podyapolsky made 49 saves. Overall, their top scorer is forward Kirill Semyonov with 19 points (9+10).

SKA have improved in recent matches, stringing three consecutive wins together against Dinamo Riga 6:1, CSKA Moscow 3:2 SO and Avangard 5:3. Those victories have allowed the team to retake top spot in the standings, one point clear of CSKA.

In the first game against Metallurg Novokuznetsk this season, SKA thrashed their Siberian opponents 6:0 away.

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