Welcome. Game starts at 11:00 GMT / 12:00 CET.

Metallurg Magnitogorsk are in a great situation as first in Kharlamov Division with 86 points in 44 games while today's opponents Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk have still to fear for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 63 points in 43 games.

Recently Metallurg struggled a bit with losses against top teams CSKA Moscow (2-3 SO) and Salavat Yulayev Ufa (1-4). After two convincing wins Neftekhimik were beaten in the last match by outsiders Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg (2-3).

When both teams met in September Metallurg grabbed an easy 7-2 away win in Nizhnekamsk.

If Magnitka can secure another favourite win or if the outsiders from Nizhnekamsk can surprise them, we'll see in a few minutes.

Starting lineups:

Metallurg Magnitogorsk: Gelashvili (Ahonen) - Misharin, Biryukov, Antonovsky, Khabarov, Bondarev, Bernatsky, Tverdovsky - Zuccarello, Platonov, Kazionov, Hodgman, Lisin, Zdunov, Shenfeld, Kosov, Potekhin, Yakubov, Malinovsky, Mikhailov, Grigorenko

Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk: Dalton (Sokolov) - Berezin, Blokhin, Seluyanov, Mamashev, Belov, Shulakov - Cibak, Osala, Milovzorov, Netik, Koukal, Nurtdinov, Lewandowski, Khokhryakov, Pestushko, Krutov, Komaristy, Ziazov, Y. Alshevsky

Referees: Belov, Ravodin - Pafyonov, Sysuyev

The hosts are back at full strength. It's a calm begin in Magnitogorsk.

With one second left in the power play the guests suddenly have a good chance from the blue line but the puck goes wide!

Attack by Metallurg but one of their forwards slips at the blue line and then there comes the offside call.

Fast counter by Metallurg and the puck comes to Yaroslav Kosov who didn't get enough power in his shot from a half left position so that Dalton made an easy save.

Wrap-around try by Neftekhimik and almost it goes past Gleashvili but the goalie used his pads for the save.

Metallurg from the blue line and Dalton was out of position. With a lot of luck the guest goalie made a save with his right foot.

Despite standing alone in front of Metallurg goalie Gelashvili a guest forward's shot went wide... there was more in for him during this chance.

Gelashvili with another save from a short distance! Good game so far by him.

The hosts are back at full strength.

Short-distance shot by Metallurg and in the last moment Dalton gets the save.

Pestushko with a good opportunity for the guests but his shot from a short distance goes wide!

Another dangerous shot by the guests that goes wide.

2 on 2 counter by Metallurg but the last pass was not precise enough.

Metallurg back at full strength.

Double chance for Metallurg but both times Dalton paid attention.

Counter by Neftekhimik but the shot just lands in the gloves of Gelashvili.

Several good opportunities for the guests now but every time Gelashvili is there with the save.

One-timer by Neftekhimik and glove save by Gelashvili.

Both teams are back at full strength.

At the moment Metallurg controll the game and keep the guests away from their goal.

A long pass by Metallurg almost ends up in the Neftekhimik net as one of the Metallurg forwards pushed an opponent out of position and goalie Dalton was a bit surprised that the puck came through.

Blue line shot and Gelashvili covers the puck up with several players being involved in a fight for the puck. The game is quite aggressive now.

Shot by Netik from the right wing but no problem for Gelashvili.

Dangerous cross-pass but at the second post a guest forward missed the puck.

Metallurg survived another Neftekhimik power play without any harm.

Shot by Neftekhimik from a central position but Gelashvili is there with a glove save.

The guests are trying to score an early goal. It's the only hope left for them.

There were several good opportunities for Metallurg in their recent power play but they couldn't use any of them.

The Neftekhimik penalty ended and the guests are now themselves in power play.

Almost the huge break away chance for Metallurg but the forward was stopped in the last moment with unfair methods.

Short distance shot by Neftekhimik from a sharp angle but easy save for Gelashvili.

The Magnitka forward waited too long with his shot which then was blocked by a defender.

The guests are back at full strength.

Double chance for Neftekhimik but somehow the Metallurg defense can keep the puck out of the net despite their goalie already being beaten.

Two injured Metallurg players on the ice but the referees waited very long with their call. The fans are not happy with the decision.

Looks like Potekhin has a hand injury.

The last five minutes are on their way and it doesn't look like the guests could be still a danger for the Metallurg win.

Good chance for Neftekhimik after several minutes but still Gelashvili has the possibility to get a shutout.

Dalton with the chest save from a short distance!

Back hander by Metallurg but no problem for Dalton.

Timeout Neftekhimik.

Dalton left his net for the remaining time.

One minute left to play.