The battle for the Gagarin Cup starts today!

Four pairs start today, with eight teams kicking off their path towards the most coveted trophy in the season, the Gagarin Cup. The reigning champion, CSKA, plays today as well, facing Lokomotiv.

17:00: Salavat Yulaev vs Traktor

Series stand
0-0

Series history
2018: 2^nd round meet-up. Traktor defeated Salavat Yulaev 4-3.
2021: 1^st round meet-up. Salavat Yulaev defeated Traktor 4-1.
2022: 2^nd round meet-up. Traktor defeated Salavat Yulaev 4-2.

About the game
Salavat Yulaev swept Traktor four games to four in this year’s regular season (5:3, 4:0, 4:0, 4:3).

Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Alexei Pustozyorov, Yegor Suchkov, Nikita Zorkin.
Traktor: Andrei Chibisov.

Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s defenseman Mikhail Naumenkov lines up for his 100^th game in the Gagarin Cup playoffs.
Traktor’s defenseman Grigory Dronov may reach 100 league points (currently at 99).

19:30: Lokomotiv vs CSKA

Series stand
0-0

Series history
2017: 2^nd round meet-up. Lokomotiv defeated CSKA 4-2.
2021: 2^nd round meet-up. CSKA defeated Lokomotiv 4-3.
2022: 1^st round meet-up. CSKA defeated Lokomotiv 4-0.
2023: 2^nd round meet-up. CSKA defeated Lokomotiv 4-3.

About the game
Lokomotiv achieved four wins over CSKA this season, against two victories for the Gagarin Cup reigning champion (2:1, 1:2, 0:3, 3:2, 2:1 OT, 5:4 OT).

Injury list
CSKA: Marsel Ibragimov.

19:30: Spartak vs Severstal

Series stand
0-0

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

About the game
The regular season’s series between the two teams ended 3-1 (6:4, 5:3, 2:4, 5:3).
Spartak’s forward Pavel Poryadin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points over that span.
Spartak’s defenseman Yegor Savikov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.

Injury list
Spartak: Joey Keane, Patrik Rybar.
Severstal: Timur Mukhanov, Ivan Podshivalov, Dmitry Shugayev.

Milestone alert
Spartak’s forward Ansel Galimov may score his 100^th KHL goal (currently at 99).
Spartak’s forward Shane Prince may record his 100^th league assist (currently at 99).

19:30: Ak Bars vs Avtomobilist

Series stand
0-0

Series history
2015: 1^st  round meet-up. Ak Bars defeated Avtomobilist 4:1.

About the game
Ak Bars has achieved three victories over Avtomobilist in the regular season, against one win for the Motormen (3:2, 1:2, 2;1, 4:1).
Ak Bars’ forward Kirill Semyonov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points over that span.
Ak Bars’ forwards Alexander Radulov and Semyon Koshelev are also on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points over that span.
Ak Bars’ forward Stanislav Galiyev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
Avtomobilist’s goalie Evgeny Alikin is on a 119:01 shutout streak.
Avtomobilist’s forward Stephane Da Costa is on a seven-game scoring streak, with 11 (4+7) points.

Injury list
Ak Bars: Dmitrij Jaskin.
Avtomobilist: Stephane Da Costa.

Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Radulov may reach 700 KHL points (currently at 697), while Dmitry Kagarlitsky is seeking his 500^th (currently at 497).
Ak Bars’ forward Semyon Koshelev may reach 100 assists in the league (currently at 99).
Avtomobilist’s forward Sergei Shirokov lines up for his 800^th league appearance.
Avtomobilist’s forward Anatoly Golyshev may score his 300^th career point (currently at 299).