Group D looks to be one of the most tough to call on paper, and on Friday evening, Yunost Minsk and Lausanne HC will face off in a game which will already have serious Playoff implications. Yunost Minsk are notoriously difficult to beat at home ice, having recorded victories over the likes of Frölunda Indians, TPS Turku and Växjö Lakers. Yunost are desperate to make it to the Playoffs for the first time after two consecutive Group Stage exits. Yunost Minsk have suffered some significant departures during the off-season. Mikhail Stefanovich and Anatoli Protyasenya left for Russia and Poland respectively, although Russian forward Denis Tysganov, signed from Russia, should go a long way to replacing this offence.

Lausanne HC have talent from top to bottom, and they just might have what it takes to take the three points back from Minsk. Lausanne are making their CHL debut this season and have added to an already strong side with the signing of forwards Josh Jooris and Teemu Pulkkinen, to go along with the retained high-scoring Dustin Jeffrey and Joël Vermin. There is a new face in net as well, as Tobias Stephan joins the club after a storied ru with EV Zug. Lausanne finished pre-season with a 3-1 record, which included a 7-2 win over fellow CHL club Grenoble and closed out their schedule with a 3-1 victory against former CHL club ZSC Lions Zurich.