Lukko Rauma must put their domestic form behind them if they are to give themselves a first game advantage over Red Bull Munich.

The Finns host Munich on Tuesday looking to reach the CHL Semi-Final for the first time since the 2015/16 season. However, despite an impressive CHL campaign, Lukko head into the First Game coming off a three-game losing streak in the Finnish Liiga.

Recently signed goaltender Artem Zagidulin could make his CHL debut for Lukko after recently joining the team. The Russian featured for the Calgary Flames last season.

Playmakers Scott Pooley (2G, 8A) Anrei Hakulinen (1G, 7A) will be key for the Finnish side. Linus Nyman, Sebastian Repo and blueliner Vili Saarijärvi each lead the team with four goals. 

2018/19 runners-up Munich travel for the first game on the back of altogether more promising domestic form, currently sitting top of Germany’s DEL. Despite heading into the game against Lukko with a victory under their belts, they have dropped points in three of their last five matches domestically, so will be seeking to establish some consistency. 

Only two teams have a higher goals-per-game record than Munich in the CHL this season. Frederik Tiffels (6G, 6A) has been one of the competition's stand-out players this term, while Trevor Parkes (5G, 6A) and Ben Street (3G, 8A) will also be a major threat. Defenceman Zachary Redmond has also stood out, posting one goal and nine assists in his eight games whilst goaltender Danny Aus Den Birken's 166 total saves is the third-most in the competition. 

Penalty killing has been a forte of both teams to date, with the two teams having the third and fourth best records in the CHL respectively (Lukko 92.00 percent and Munich 87.88 percent).