MOSCOW (Interstat) — A surging Lokomotiv Yaroslavl looks to continue its recent dominance over rival CSKA Moscow when the teams meet in a Kontinental Hockey League matchup Sunday at CSKA Ice Palace.

The visiting Lokomotiv (24-16-0) has won three straight games and holds a decisive edge in the season series, having taken all three previous meetings. This includes a 2-1 shootout victory on Dec. 18 in Yaroslavl, the most recent encounter between the clubs. CSKA (19-22-0) seeks to reverse that trend and build momentum after a 5-1 rout of Dynamo Moscow on Tuesday.

Lokomotiv has been led by a stingy defense, conceding just one goal total in its last three victories. Defenseman Alexei Bereglazov has been a steady physical presence on the blue line, recording at least one hit in six of his last seven appearances. Goaltender Daniil Isayev posted a 24-save shutout in the team’s most recent win, a 1-0 result against Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod on Dec. 30.

CSKA counters with an offensive spark from defenseman Mac Hollowell, who scored a goal in the Dec. 30 win over Dynamo. The home side has shown improved form lately, going 3-1-0 in its last four games after a prolonged slump.

Despite their stronger overall record, Lokomotiv has been inconsistent on the road recently, with shutout losses at Dynamo Moscow and Avangard Omsk in late December. CSKA will need to exploit any such vulnerability to overcome a Lokomotiv squad that has outscored the Army Men 12-3 in their three meetings this season.

The game opens a critical January stretch for both clubs in the tightly contested KHL Western Conference standings.