UFA (Interstat) — Avtomobilist visits Salavat Yulaev on Friday in a Kontinental Hockey League game at Ufa Arena in Ufa, Russia. Avtomobilist enters 10-11. Salavat Yulaev is 11-12.

Avtomobilist will look to forward Alexander Kadeikin. Kadeikin scored in the club’s most recent outing, a 4-3 loss to Metallurg Magnitogorsk, and has been active in the attacking zone during his recent stretch. He also scored against Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and SKA Saint Petersburg and recorded assists against Barys Astana and CSKA Moscow. He had three shots on goal in the loss to Metallurg Magnitogorsk, five shots in a win at SKA Saint Petersburg and seven shots in a loss at Avangard Omsk. In the loss to Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Daniel Sprong added two assists and Alexander Sharov scored. Before that defeat, Avtomobilist beat Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in a shootout, Barys Astana and CSKA Moscow. Avtomobilist’s recent slate also includes wins over Avangard Omsk and Amur and losses to Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Avangard Omsk and Barys Astana. The club’s upcoming schedule features games against Traktor, Shanghai, Ak Bars, Spartak, Sibir, Torpedo, Dynamo, Barys and Traktor again.

Salavat Yulaev counters with goaltender Ivan Bocharov, who has been sharp in recent appearances. Bocharov made 20 saves in a 5-0 win over Lada Togliatti and stopped 41 of 45 shots in a 5-4 win at Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Bocharov’s 41-save effort at Metallurg Magnitogorsk was followed by his 20-save shutout against Lada Togliatti. In the victory over Lada Togliatti, Sheldon Rempal had two goals and an assist, and Jack Rodewald added a goal and an assist. Salavat Yulaev will aim to build on that home result after a stretch that included a loss at Shanghai and home defeats to Sochi and Ak Bars. The club has also posted wins over Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Amur, Neftekhimik and Sibir this season, and it has dropped games to Shanghai, Sochi, Ak Bars, Admiral, Sibir and Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Salavat Yulaev’s next games include matchups with Neftekhimik, Ak Bars, Admiral, Barys, Dinamo Minsk, SKA, Amur and Severstal.

The teams meet with Salavat Yulaev holding a one-win edge in the standings. Avtomobilist has shown scoring balance, while Salavat Yulaev has received strong goaltending from Bocharov. Avtomobilist will continue its road schedule before returning home for several games. Salavat Yulaev will return to the road before a run of home contests.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Salavat Yulaev 3, Avtomobilist 2. The over/under for the game is 4.5.