KAZAN, Russia (Interstat) — Lokomotiv Yaroslavl can clinch the Kontinental Hockey League playoff series Thursday afternoon when it faces Ak Bars Kazan in Game 6 at TatNeft Arena.

Lokomotiv leads the best-of-seven series 3-2 after a 4-1 victory Tuesday in Yaroslavl. The winner of the series advances to the conference finals.

The teams split the first four games, each winning twice on home ice. Lokomotiv holds a 59-27 record across all competitions this season. Ak Bars is 56-29.

Byron Froese has been a catalyst for Lokomotiv in the postseason. The forward scored two goals on three shots in Tuesday’s win. He has recorded a goal in two of the past three games against Ak Bars and has 12 shots on goal in the series. Froese also contributed an assist and two shots in a 4-0 victory against Avangard Omsk on May 2.

Alexander Chmelevski leads Ak Bars’ offensive attack. The forward scored a goal on six shots in Tuesday’s loss. He has three goals and two assists in the series, including a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win at Lokomotiv on May 13. Chmelevski also posted a goal and an assist in a 5-2 victory against Metallurg Magnitogorsk on April 25.

The clubs met seven times before this series, with Lokomotiv winning four. Ak Bars won 1-0 on Oct. 22 in Kazan in the last regular-season meeting.

Game 7, if necessary, would be Saturday in Yaroslavl.