The battle for the Gagarin Cup is here!

It’s that time of the year again when the top sixteen teams in the league battle out to decide the 2023 Gagarin Cup champion. Last year’s CSKA title is now up for grabs. Four series get their start tonight, with another four following tomorrow.

17:00: Salavat Yulaev vs Admiral

Series stand
0-0

Series History
It’s the first time the two sides meet in the elimination stage.

Injury list
Admiral: Dmitry Sayustov, Gleb Zyryanov.

About the game
Salavat Yulaev has defeated Admiral twice (2:0, 5:3), just as the Sailors achieved two victories over Ufa (2:0, 2:1 OT).

Salavat Yulaev’s forward Alexander Chmelevski is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (1+5) points over that span.

Salavat Yulaev’s forward Alexei Pustozyorov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points.

19:30: SKA vs Dinamo Minsk

Series stand
0-0

Series History
2021: 1^st round meet-up. SKA defeated Dinamo Minsk 4-1.

2022: 1^st round meet-up. SKA defeated Dinamo Minsk 4-0.

Injury list
SKA: Danila Moiseyev, Nikolai Prokhorkin, Artyom Shvets-Rogovoi.

Dinamo Minsk: Nikita Zorkin.

About the game

SKA defeated Dinamo Minsk in all four games this season (5:1, 3:2 ОТ, 7:2, 5:3).

SKA’s forward Dmitrij Jaskin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 7 (5+2) points over that span.

SKA’s defenseman Alexander Nikishin is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.

SKA’s forward Dmitry Vorobyov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.

SKA’s forward Svyatoslav Grebenshchikov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.

Milestone alert

SKA’s forward Dmitrij Jaskin may score his 200^th KHL point (currently at 199).

SKA’s forward Nikita Gusev may reach 50 playoff assists (currently at 49).

Dinamo Minsk’s forward Denis Mosalyov lines up for his 100^th playoff game.

19:30: Lokomotiv vs Vityaz

Series stand
0-0

Series History
It’s the first time the two sides meet in the elimination stage.

Injury list
Lokomotiv: Yegor Korshkov, Mikhail Varnakov.

About the game

The Railwaymen have defeated Vityaz three times out of four this season (1:0 SO, 2:1, 3:1 – 3:4 ОТ).

Milestone alert

Lokomotiv’s forward Vadim Averin may score his 300^th KHL point (currently at 299).

Lokomotiv’s defenseman Rushan Rafikov may deliver his 100^th assist in the KHL (currently at 99).

Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Shalunov may reach 50 goals in the KHL playoffs (currently at 48).

19:30: Ak Bars vs Neftekhimik

Series stand
0-0

Series History
2013: 1^st round meet-up. Ak Bars defeated Neftekhimik 4-0.

2020: 1^st round meet-up. Ak Bars defeated Neftekhimik 4-0.

Injury list
Neftekhimik: Ilya Fedotov, Emil Garipov.

About the game

Ak Bars has defeated Neftekhimik three times out of four this season (5:2, 3:1, 4:3 – 3:4 ОТ).

Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Radulov is on a six-game scoring streak, with 9 (4+5) points over that span.

Neftekhimik’s goalie Andrei Tikhomirov enters the playoffs on an 89:46 shutout streak.

Neftekhkimik’s forward Andrei Belozyorov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points.