SKA - Salavat Yulaev. Match day

The fourth match of this SKA home series today will be played against HC Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

Games between these teams are always full of goals and drama, and today should be no different as two of the most prolific clubs meet. After a disappointing campaign last time around Salavat rung the changes during the summer, and their work on the transfer rink has been paying off. Talented forwards Nikolai Prokhorkin, Igor Grigorenko, Andreas Enqgvist and Linus Omark were brought in from HC CSKA Moscow and Jokerit Helsinki respectively, and they have combined for a total of 119 points already. Nevertheless their defence has been letting them down, and Swedish goaltender Niklas Svedberg has a less than impressive 90.8% saves percentage. Following a poor start to the season ex SKA coach Igor Zakharkin was promoted to manager, and his appointment has resulted in Salavat searing to fourth of the Eastern Conference and have won four out of their last five (Barys 4:1, Traktor 3:1, Metallurg Magnitogorsk 6:2, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 3:1). They have also scored more goals than anyone else this season (123).

SKA are in top form at the moment, and have won six on the bounce. The team should be full of confidence after a dramatic 2:1 overtime win over HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk on Sunday, with Ilya Kovalchuk scoring the extra frame winner. He's on a eight game points streak, but the top scorer continues to be Vadim Shipachyov with 32 (9+23).

The SKA - Salavat Yulaev 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 to date with events by following either our online matchcentre or our official Twitter account.