Oceláři Třinec and Lausanne HC are the top two teams in Group D, and both have their eyes on advancing to the Round of 16. Lausanne could make that happen this game – in fact, they would clinch top spot in the group with a regulation win. As for Třinec, considering the way this year’s Champions Hockey League journey started, they’re more than happy with their position right now.

Třinec started on the road and lost in Lahti and Minsk – in fact, they were shut out both games. Then they came home and fell behind 3-0 to the Pelicans before rallying to win 5-3. They then continued that momentum against Yunost, winning 7-2. Domestically, the reigning Czech Extraliga champs are in fine form as well, sitting in second place with 18 points in 10 games and currently riding a three-game winning streak. Tomáš Marcinko is the team‘s top scorer in both competitions, while veteran Patrik Bartošák and youngster Petr Kvaca have formed a solid one-two punch in goal.

After losing their oping game in Minsk in overtime, Lausanne have reeled off three straight Group D wins – two of them in shootouts – and now find themselves a win away from clinching top spot in the group. Lausanne are currently fourth place in the Swiss National League and since beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in an exhibition game last Monday, they’ve won two of three league games. Christoph Bertschy and Luas Frick each have four CHL points for Lausanne, while Cody Almond leads in the National League with eight points and Tobias Stephan is their go-to guy in goal.