NIZHNEKAMSK, Russia (Interstat) — Two teams on divergent recent paths will meet Friday when CSKA Moscow visits Neftekhimik in a Kontinental Hockey League matchup at SCC Arena.

The visiting CSKA (11-13-0) arrives with momentum from a 2-0 shutout of Severstal Cherepovets on Monday. Goaltender Dmitry Gamzin stopped all 34 shots he faced in the win, while forward Pavel Karnaukhov provided a goal. The victory was the Army Men’s second straight shutout after a 4-0 win over Sibir Novosibirsk, signaling a potential turnaround for a club that had lost three of its previous four games.

Neftekhimik (14-12-0), however, looks to rebound on home ice after a 4-1 loss to Ak Bars Kazan in its last outing. Despite the defeat, defenseman Luka Profaca scored a goal in the contest. The home team had previously won three of its last four games, including a 4-3 road victory over Traktor Chelyabinsk and a 5-2 win at Barys Astana.

Neftekhimik holds the edge in the overall season standings. The game is the first of a two-game road trip for CSKA, which travels to face Severstal Cherepovets on Sunday. Neftekhimik will hit the road for its next contest, visiting Lada Togliatti on Sunday.