NOVOSIBIRSK, Russia (Interstat) — A pair of struggling KHL clubs seeking momentum will meet Thursday when Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa at the Ice Sports Palace Sibir.

The home side Sibir (7-9-0) enters the contest with a slight edge in the standings over Salavat Yulaev (4-12-0), but both teams are coming off narrow overtime decisions in their last outings. Sibir fell 2-1 to Metallurg Magnitogorsk on Tuesday, while Salavat Yulaev edged Traktor Chelyabinsk 3-2 the same night.

The season series between these teams is split 1-1. On Oct. 1, Salavat Yulaev earned a decisive 5-2 win on home ice. The previous meeting on Sept. 24 saw Sibir secure a 3-2 shootout victory in Novosibirsk.

Salavat Yulaev will look to build on its most recent win, where forward Vladislav Yefremov contributed a goal and an assist. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for the Ufa-based club. Defensemen Sergei Varlov and Alexei Vasilevsky provided a physical presence in that game.

Sibir, despite its losing record, has shown resilience, with three of its seven wins coming via shootout. Forward Ivan Klimovich, who scored in the loss to Metallurg, will be a key offensive threat for the home team.

The game is the first of a two-game homestand for Sibir, while Salavat Yulaev continues a road trip that heads to Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk on Saturday.