Game of the season in Magnitogorsk

Metallurg missed two chances to lift the cup, allowing two consecutive wins to CSKA as the series is now tied at three. On Thursday, the Muscovites grabbed an early lead with Vladislav Kamenev, then Mikhail Grigorenko made it a two-nothing game with less than 15 minutes played. Late in the second period, Andrei Chibisov squeezed through CSKA defense to cut the opposition lead, but it wasn’t enough for Magnitka to recover and secure a win. Metallurg’s forward Josh Currie picked up a game misconduct penalty for a checking to the head infraction on game five’s hero Klas Dahlbeck, but CSKA failed to score in the consequent five-minute man advantage. The goalies played lights out again – Fedotov stopped 26 shots, while Koshechkin had 31 saves as the series moves back to the Urals.

15:00: Metallurg vs CSKA

Series stand:
The series is tied 3-3.

About the game
CSKA is 0-1 in its game-seven history, having lost 3-4 to Metallurg in 2016. Magnitka, other than the triumph over CSKA, also defeated HC Lev two years before, with Sergei Mozyakin scoring the cup-clinching goal in the third period en route to Metallurg’s first Gagarin Cup triumph.

The Saturday clash will be an exciting one. Metallurg has more experience, but CSKA may make good use of its morale boost after winning two games in a row with its back against the wall.

Injury list
Metallurg: Alexei Maklyukov.
CSKA: Nikita Rtishchev.

Milestone alert
Metallurg’s defenseman Mikhail Pashnin lines up for his 100^th game in the KHL playoffs.

Suspensions
Metallurg’s forward Josh Currie serves the first of a two-game ban.