I think T/M NEED to win Rostelecom not because its the easiest way to get to the GPF but for their personal morale. They let the bad things linger in their heads too long and need to be rid of them as soon as possible. They can't go into the GPF (if they make it) or nationals feeling even worse then the do already.
Everyone has said, from the off season on, that if they made any mistakes B/K would be nipping at their heals ready to take advantage. Before it was just a saying of caution to them but in Canada it became a reality. For the defacto Russian #1 to lose to another Russian team is not good but for it to happen again, even worse. They can't afford to lose to B/K again and a loss to S/N would be just bad as well. It won't change their status as Russian team #1 for the rest of the season but it certainly won't look good internationally or with the federation either.
I don't think a lost to S/N would be a problem ... I second lost to a russian team ( any russian team) that would be a problem .. Yes it won't change her status to number 1 team but they would't be a 1 bullet proof