MOSCOW (Interstat) — CSKA Moscow will host Dynamo Moscow on Saturday in a Kontinental Hockey League matchup at CSKA Ice Palace in Moscow, Russia. CSKA enters as the home team with an 8-3 record, while Dynamo is the visiting club at 5-7. The game gives CSKA a chance to continue its recent run and Dynamo a chance to rebound from its latest result.

Dynamo comes in off a home loss to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Nick Merkley scored in that game and put three shots on goal. Jordan Weal added an assist and two shots, while Mario Patalakha recorded an assist, one shot and two penalty minutes. Merkley is the Dynamo player to watch. Across his recent outings, he has produced a goal and three assists, including a two-assist game against Dinamo Minsk. He also has recent efforts with five shots and four penalty minutes against Salavat Yulaev Ufa and four shots against Admiral Vladivostok. His recent totals include 26 shots and 18 hits.

CSKA’s most recent result was a road win at Dinamo Minsk. Dmitry Gamzin made 25 saves on 26 shots in the victory. Marat Khairullin scored twice, and Robert Hamilton added a goal and an assist. Gamzin is the CSKA player to watch. His recent slate includes a 19-save shutout against Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, a 20-save performance at Admiral Vladivostok and a 25-save win at Dinamo Minsk. He also stopped all nine shots he faced in a win at Lada Togliatti. CSKA’s recent wins also include a 6-5 home victory over SKA Saint Petersburg and a 5-0 road win at Lada Togliatti.

CSKA has posted home wins over SKA Saint Petersburg, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and others. Dynamo has an overtime win over Dinamo Minsk and shootout wins over Dinamo Minsk and Admiral Vladivostok. Dynamo also beat Severstal Cherepovets 2-0 on the road. The matchup features a Dynamo attack looking to generate more around Merkley and a CSKA side that has leaned on Gamzin in net.

Dynamo’s schedule will continue with upcoming games against Shanghai Dragons and CSKA Moscow, while CSKA is set to face Salavat Yulaev Ufa and then Dynamo Moscow. Dynamo’s other recent results include a road win at Admiral Vladivostok and a road loss at Amur Khabarovsk. CSKA’s recent schedule has included wins over Amur Khabarovsk, Admiral Vladivostok and HC Sochi. The teams are scheduled to meet again later in the season. The game is expected to draw attention in Moscow as two of the KHL’s traditional clubs meet.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of CSKA 3, Dynamo 1.