MOSCOW (Interstat) — CSKA Moscow will host Dynamo Moscow on Wednesday in a Kontinental Hockey League matchup at CSKA Ice Palace. CSKA enters with an 11-3 record and has been one of the league’s steadiest teams. Dynamo sits at 6-10 and is looking to build on an overtime victory over SKA Saint Petersburg. The home side also carries recent head-to-head momentum, having beaten Dynamo in both of the teams’ most recent meetings, including a 5-2 win in the latest matchup.

Dynamo’s attack will be led by Nick Merkley, who has been productive during the club’s recent games. Merkley scored twice on nine shots in the overtime win against SKA Saint Petersburg and added a goal in the previous meeting with CSKA. He also scored against Shanghai Dragons, recorded an assist at CSKA and scored against Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Merkley has generated shots consistently, with several games of three or more shots on goal. His shooting volume has made him a central part of Dynamo’s offensive approach. In Dynamo’s most recent result, Pavel Shen chipped in a goal and an assist, while Vladislav Podyapolsky made 26 saves on 29 shots.

CSKA counters with Maxim Sorkin, who has been productive during the club’s strong start. Sorkin scored twice on five shots in the most recent win over Dynamo and has points in several recent games, including a goal against Salavat Yulaev Ufa, an assist against Dynamo and an assist at Dinamo Minsk. He also had a goal and an assist at Lada Togliatti. In CSKA’s latest game, Prokhor Poltapov recorded two goals and an assist, and Alexander Samonov stopped 25 of 27 shots. CSKA has received contributions throughout the lineup, supporting a defense that has helped produce 11 wins in 14 contests.

Dynamo has shown flashes of offense, but consistency has been an issue. The club has scored four goals in two of its recent wins but has also been held to one goal or fewer multiple times this season. CSKA has avoided those droughts, scoring at least three goals in most of its victories. The game will be played at CSKA Ice Palace, where the home side will look to maintain its recent edge in the rivalry. The teams have met twice this season, with CSKA winning both games. Dynamo’s recent wins have required extra time, while CSKA has mostly avoided those margins during its best stretch. The matchup will test Dynamo’s ability to handle pressure on the road and CSKA’s ability to continue its strong start.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of CSKA Moscow 5, Dynamo Moscow 1.