Preview of KHL Playoff Game Between CSKA Moscow and SKA Saint Petersburg

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (Interstat) — The Kontinental Hockey League playoff series between SKA Saint Petersburg and CSKA Moscow shifts to the Ice Palace on Friday for Game 2, with the visiting Army Men looking to build on a commanding series lead.

CSKA seized home-ice advantage with a 4-2 victory in Wednesday’s series opener in Moscow. The win extended CSKA’s recent dominance in the head-to-head matchup, marking their fourth consecutive victory over their longtime rival dating back to October. CSKA enters Friday with a 38-30 season record, carrying momentum from a stretch where they have won seven of their last ten contests.

A key catalyst for CSKA is forward Pavel Karnaukhov. He scored a goal on four shots in the Game 1 win and has been a consistent offensive presence, registering at least three shots on goal in seven of his last ten games. He will be supported by Denis Guryanov and Takhir Mingachyov, who also found the net in the series opener.

The home-standing SKA, which posted a 30-29-1 regular-season record, faces near must-win pressure after dropping the first two games of the series on the road. The team has struggled for consistency, losing three of its last four games overall. To level the series, they will need more production from forward Nikita Dishkovsky, who scored their lone goal in the third period of Game 1. Dishkovsky has shown a physical edge, recording nine hits in a game earlier this month, and will be counted on to help spark a rebound on home ice.

SKA’s last home game against CSKA resulted in a 3-0 victory on Feb. 21, a result they will aim to replicate. Goaltender Artemy Pleshkov stopped 22 of 26 shots in the Game 1 loss.

The playoff intensity of the Moscow-St. Petersburg rivalry will be on full display as SKA fights to avoid a two-game deficit before the series returns to Moscow for Game 3 on Sunday.