Staff writers

Linkoping HC vs. SC Bern

Group A; Saab Arena, 15:00

In what many commentators have alreadyedp pointed to as one of the toughest groups to qualify form, there is will room for either Linkoping or Bern to fall behind in the table early on. Bern's loss in Finland to IFK Helsinki sees them going into the game not only needing points, but playing  a team that has had the opportunity to do a little bit of homework as well.

"They play with a 1-3-1 formation in the neutral zone which we need to keep an eye on, and not lose picks in the wrong areas otherwise they'll punish us," says Linkoping's Norwegian coach Dan Tangnes. "But we will not focus so much on them as, just ike us, they're in the early stages of the season. We have several things to work on in our own game so it's more about making sure we are prepared."

Bern will be without the injured defencemen Timo Hebling in tonight's game, and coach Boucher knows his team needs to stay out of the box after their opening game. "At this stage of the season you can lack rhythm and fluidity, and that can lead to penalties" says the 44-year-old former Tampa Bay Lightning coach.

Espoo Blues vs. HC Litvinov

Group F; Barona Areena, 15:00

The Barona Areena in Espoo hots its second Champions Hockey League game in three days, for it's second different team! This time though it's the Blues playing on home ice, after IFK Helsinki 'borrowed' the rink on Friday. The Blues meet Litvinov, who won in Grenoble to top the group, with the game probably going a long way to deciding who will eventually win the group. "We are very excited. It's great to play games where both teams play seriously for the win," Blues captain Kim Hirschovits says on his side's CHL debut game. "There are tough teams to play against, they are best from their country and full of experienced players."

With three points already under their belts, a win for Litvinov could almost put them into the knock-out stages already. "I expect a tough fight. Espoo wants to advance as well for sure, so they won’t be giving points away at home just like that," says GM Robert Kysela. "I expect a bit more of a difficult game than in Grenoble, as I think that the Espoo Blues would play in the top half of our table in the Czech league."

Bili Tygri Liberec vs. Skelleftea AIK

Group D; Home Credit Arena, 16:15

Having missed out on a spot in the knock-out stages last year, Bili Tygri Liberec finally get their CHL campaign underway on home ice this afternoon against last year's beaten semi-finalists. They're fully aware of the task ahead of them though, with goalie Jan Lasak ranking Skelleftea up there as one of the continent's best: “It’s good that we can finally play a competitive game. Also we have top teams in our group, I would say one of the best teams in Europe. It will be a tough test for me in the goal, and also for the other guys. We’re looking forward to it and we’ll try to be prepared," he said.

Forward  Andrew Calof's side come into this game off the back of a solid win in Nitra. "We try to bring a fast game every time we step on the ice with a lot of shots coming all over the ice. We want to be 100 percent all the time. We're very proud to be in the CHL," he told the club's website.

Vitkovice Ostrava vs. Adler Mannheim

Group I; Ostrava Arena, 17:00

Adler Mannheim suffreed an opening day shock when they lost in Belarus to Neman Grodno, and now travel to the east of the Czech Republic to face Vitkovice, who are marking their first CHL game of the season. Vitkovice were one of a couple of Czech teams that under-performed in last season's Champions Hockey League, but they did beat DEL opposition on home ice in the form of Ingolstadt.

“Everybody is looking forward to the game. We know about our strength and I believe we’re prepared and that we will prove it on the ice," says Vitkovice coach Jakub Petr. "The Adler were the better team in Grodno, but we can learn from the home team who were well-organized on defence and scored on their power plays. We have respect for Mannheim as they're the German champions, but on the other hand we're not fearing anyone."

KAC Klagenfurt vs. Red Bull Munich

Group H; Stadthalle Klagenfurt, 19:30

The KAC make their CHL debuts tonight at home to Munich in the day's late game, facing a Red Bull squad that got off to a winning start in Kosice in their opener. “Our entire organisation is excited about our Champions Hockey League home opener against Munich. I'm sure our fans are going to experience a great game, characterised by speed and offence. It's something special to be able to play games on this level that early in the season," says Dough Mason, head coach of the KAC. "We expect Munich to be a very strong opponent, they have shown their qualities in our group's opening game on Thursday.

The Red Bulls are a great team with excellent homegrown and import players. Therefore, our primary task will be to play a focused game with composure in our own zone. Don Jackson, Munich's coach who also spent some time in the EBEL, added: "I know they have several experienced players in Lundmark and Pock, and they also have good support. No games are easy, and we're going to need our good form to continue."