Rouen's remarkable season continued domestically, where the side have yet to lose a game in their own league. After 15 matches they've only dropped points in three two-point wins, and lead their own league by five points already. The French champions have wins over Nice and in Angers in their last two games by a combined score of 8-3. They make their debut in the Round of 16  and, having won their last two CHL games at home and been leading 2-0 against  Kärpät in the Group Stage, have reasons to be confident after their early-season form.

Red Bull Salzburg had a slow start in the EBEL, but have got themselves together recently and are up to fourth in the league with a 10-1-1-5 record so far - and just four points off the top. They went down 2-1 in Klagenfurt on Friday night, but returning to winning ways two days later with a 5-2 win over a resurgent Zagreb side. As winners of their group, the Red Bulls will be favourites for this series, having won eight of their last 10 games in all competitions also gives the squad reason to be optimistic. Forward Ryan Duncan shouldn't be given too much space with the puck, having already notched 21 points in 11 domestic games.