The Rapperswil-Jona Lakers host HC Košice in a match-up of two teams that both find themselves outside the playoff picture looking in. The good news is they’re not far out – entering Game Day 4, the Lakers find themselves one point back of the cut-off with Košice three back. That means they’re right back in the race with a win, so that makes this game an important one – neither wants to fall too far behind the pack.

Both teams are coming off 5-2 defeats on Friday – Rapperswil fell at home to Lukko Rauma and Košice on the road to Red Bull Munich.

Overall, the Lakers have been better offensively and Košice better defensively, but both have areas of their games that they need to shore up. Part of the Lakers’ problem has been their CHL-worst penalty kill of 69.23%, while Košice’s has been far better at a seventh-ranked 90.91%.

Both teams’ powerplays are middle of the pack. Two of Košice’s five goals have come with the man advantage, and they’ve both been scored by Swedish defenceman Jens Olsson. The team’s top scorer is Mário Lunter with three points.

The Lakers are led offensively by forward Jordan Schroeder and defenceman Maxim Noreau with four points each. On the defensive side, forward Tyler Moy is tied for second in the CHL with nine blocked shots.