The second round starts today!

Two series kicks off this Saturday, with Avangard facing Lokomotiv, and Dynamo Moscow and Traktor going for a rematch of the 2013 Gagarin Cup finals.

The Gagarin Cup playoffs’ second round start today, with the teams now possibly meeting teams from the other Conference. This formula was introduced for the 2023-2024 season as all the series will now see a Western Conference team facing an Eastern Conference squad.

13:30: Avangard vs Lokomotiv

Series stand
0-0

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

Playoffs path:
1^st round: Avangard vs Lada 4-2; Lokomotiv vs CSKA 4-1.

About the game
The two sides traded wins in the regular season, with each time the home team ending up as a winner with a 4-1 score.
Lokomotiv doesn’t achieve a victory in Omsk since its 4:3 win on Jan 24, 2010. However, the Railwaymen collected three away wins in Balashikha.
Avangard’s goalie Pavel Khomchenko enters the second round on a 66:51 shutout streak.
Avangard’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov had at least an assist in each of his previous five games, totaling eight helpers.
Avangard’s forward Reid Boucher had at least a goal in each of his previous three games, totaling six tallies.
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that span.
Lokomotiv’s defenseman Rushan Rafikov had an assist in each of his previous three matches.

Injury list
Avangard: Roman Abrosimov, Ivan Telegin.

Milestone alert
Avangard’s defenseman Bogdan Kiselevich may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 198).
Avangard’s forward Damir Zhafyarov may record his 200^th league assist (currently at 198).
Lokomotiv’s head coach Igor Nikitin celebrates his 100^th appearance on the bench in the Gagarin Cup playoffs.

17:00: Dynamo Moscow vs Traktor

Series stand
0-0

Series history
2013: Gagarin Cup finals. Dynamo Moscow defeated Traktor 4-2.

Playoffs path:
1^st round: Dynamo Moscow vs Dinamo Minsk 4-2; Traktor vs Salavat Yulaev 4-2.

About the game
Dynamo Moscow defeated Traktor twice in this year’s regular season (4:2, 4:3 SO).
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Cedric Paquette is on a five-game scoring streak, with 8 (6+2) points over that span.
Traktor’s forward Anton Burdasov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.

Injury list
Dynamo Moscow: Artyom Volchenkov.
Traktor: Andrei Chibisov.

Milestone alert
Traktor’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov may reach 200 career assists (currently at 199).