UFA (Interstat) — Salavat Yulaev Ufa will host Sibir Novosibirsk in a Kontinental Hockey League game Friday at Ufa Arena in Ufa, Russia.

Salavat Yulaev enters with a 6-4 record, while Sibir is 2-8. The home side will look to bounce back from a 6-3 loss at HC Sochi in its most recent game. Danil Alalykin had two assists and four shots on goal in that defeat. Dean Stewart scored and recorded three shots, and Yegor Suchkov added a goal and two shots. Salavat Yulaev has won four of its past six games, with road wins at Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and Dynamo Moscow and home victories over Spartak Moscow and Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk.

Sibir dropped a 3-1 decision at Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in its latest outing. Alexander Yaremchuk scored and put three shots on goal. Darren Dietz had one assist and two penalty minutes, while Evgeny Kuznetsov finished with one shot and two penalty minutes. Sibir has lost four of its past five games and will try to find offense against a Salavat Yulaev team that has been stronger at home. Sibir’s season has also included a 5-1 win at HC Sochi, a 2-0 home win over Amur Khabarovsk, and a 7-1 loss at Barys Astana.

Yaremchuk is the player to watch for Sibir. He has points in three straight games, scoring in two of them, and has been one of the club’s most consistent offensive threats during a difficult start. His recent run includes a goal and three shots against Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, a goal and one shot against Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, and an assist with three shots against Ak Bars Kazan.

Alalykin is the player to watch for Salavat Yulaev. He has goals in three of his past eight games, including a two-goal performance at Barys Astana, and he set up two goals in the loss at HC Sochi. He also recorded shots on goal in several recent appearances, giving the home team a fast option on the attack. Alalykin has been involved in key offensive moments for Salavat Yulaev, including a goal and three shots against Spartak Moscow and a goal and three shots against Ak Bars Kazan.

Salavat Yulaev has been stronger overall at 6-4 and will play on home ice at Ufa Arena. Sibir, at 2-8, needs a more complete effort to slow the hosts and generate scoring chances. The matchup is part of the KHL schedule and will test Sibir’s ability to contain Alalykin and Salavat Yulaev’s supporting cast. Sibir will counter with Yaremchuk, who has been productive despite the team’s struggles.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Salavat Yulaev to defeat Sibir 2-1.