The list is compiled based on the Player Ratings, which the League calculates using an extensive set of statistical metrics.
Player rating: 1.66
Before this season, Nikita Grebyonkin had only played in the playoffs at the junior level, so the Gagarin Cup playoff matches are a serious challenge for this young player. However, the Metallurg forward performed quite well. In game three against Amur, Grebyonkin posted two assists, including contributing to Roman Kantserov’s game-winning tally. In game five, he assisted Igor Geraskin, and in game six, with his only shot, he secured victory for the team in OT, leading Magnitogorsk to the next round. Traditionally, the forward played in an aggressive way, constantly battling for the puck, throwing hits, and demonstrating quality shooting activity.
Player rating: 1.69
Alexei Kolosov’s performance is one of the reasons why Dinamo Minsk created many problems for their Moscow counterparts in the Gagarin Cup playoff’s first round. The series against the Blue-and-Whites lasted six matches — equivalent to the number of playoff games Kolosov had previously played in his entire KHL career. In four games of the series, the Minsk goalie stopped a minimum of 28 shots. The real highlight was game five in Moscow. Dmitry Kvartalnov’s team was on the brink of ending its season, but heroic efforts allowed them to snatch victory. Perhaps the main headline of that evening was indeed Kolosov, who stopped 43 shots with only one goal allowed. The netminder was particularly impressive in the first OT when the opponent dominated, had several powerplay chances, but still couldn’t score.
Player rating: 1.70
In the regular season, Anton Silayev made history in the KHL as the most productive (and logically, the most playing) 17-year-old defenseman. In the playoffs, he did it again, as at such a young age and position, only Danila Galenyuk and Shakir Mukhamadullin had previously taken to the ice. However, the Torpedo d-man played more games and scored two points. These were assists in game one and three of the series against SKA. In both cases, both were first assists to Vladislav Firstov. First, Silayev managed to skillfully defend, knocking the puck off the opponent’s stick, and then confidently join the rush. Also, in the playoffs, he had five hits and eight blocked shots to his credit.
Player rating: 1.75
Perhaps SKA’s center Zakhar Bardakov wasn’t particularly productive in the series against Torpedo, but his contribution to success is evident. Bardakov scored two points, including a goal at even strength, in game four, which took place on Nizhny Novgorod ice. He finished the series with an impressive average of 4.4 shots on goal per game, making him the second most active forward on the team after Marat Khairullin. Bardakov won 58% of faceoffs, acted extremely aggressively in the opposition’s zone, and tried to get under the skin of his opponents. It’s also worth noting his nine hits along with six blocked shots. Players of this caliber are crucial in playoff games, a fact that SKA’s forward confirmed at the beginning of March.
Player rating: 1.82
Alexander Nikishin falls into the category of players who stand out with their actions across the entire ice. This was evident once again in the series against Torpedo. He has only one point to his name — a goal scored in game three (a precise long-range shot at even strength with the score at 0-0, which set the stage for the team’s future victory). However, he was again a crucial part of SKA’s game in any situation — power play, penalty kill, or even strength. Nikishin confidently initiated attacks (and finished them too: averaging 4.6 shots on goal per game — the best performance for SKA in the elimination stage’s first round) and also neutralized opponents in the defensive zone. He also recorded five hits and nine blocked shots.
Player rating: 2.00
Alexander Pashin is no stranger to rallying his team in the playoffs. He has done it repeatedly in the JHL and the VHL. However, he had not experienced this in the KHL before. In the series against Severstal, the Red-and-Whites were able to confidently secure victories, as practically all forwards played productively. This also applies to Pashin. In five games, the forward scored 4 (2+2) points. This includes a double in game three, which helped the team secure a fairly significant victory, as well as assists game four and five — on goals by Ansel Galimov and German Rubtsov. The forward demonstrated a decent shot conversion rate — over 15%. Moreover, he played a useful role on the penalty kill throughout the series.
Player rating: 2.05
Severstal’s top-line center, Danil Aimurzin, excelled in his first full-fledged Gagarin Cup playoff series. Despite his team’s defeat against Spartak, it was Aimurzin’s trio that organized almost all of Andrei Kozyrev’s team’s goals. In the first four games, the forward consistently contributed offensively, earning an impressive seven points during this stretch, with four tallies. At the end of the first round, Aimurzin made it into the top five most productive players in the league, and among the top snipers, as he was only surpassed by Reid Boucher. He also won almost 55% of faceoffs, improving his regular season performance.
Player rating: 2.12
Before this season, the most productive 20-year-old player for Spartak in a single Gagarin Cup playoff series was Alexander Nikishin. Now, another defenseman, similar in style in some ways, has displaced him from the top spot. That player is Daniil Ivanov. He has three assists to his name: two came in game three against Severstal, and one more came in the final match of the series. In interviews, Ivanov admitted that much of this success is thanks to his teammates. However, Ivanov himself appeared quite confident for a young player without KHL playoff experience. In addition to his productivity, he contributed eight hits, two blocked shots, and one takeaway.
Player rating: 2.29
In this list, there are many players who previously had little to no experience in pro hockey playoffs. Ilya Nabokov is one of them. In the series against Amur, the Magnitka goalie faced a considerable workload, which is quite logical considering the playing style of Andrei Martemyanov’s team. On average, Nabokov stopped just over 28 shots, including 37 in game three, which his team won by a minimal margin. It was precisely in those games where Magnitogorsk’s strength was evident that Nabokov consistently maintained a save percentage of over 93%, allowing no more than two goals in each instance. A very commendable performance for a newcomer to the League.
Player rating: 2.51
At the conclusion of the first round of the Gagarin Cup playoffs, Semyon Chistyakov emerged with the best differential for Avangard, ending the series with a plus-5 ratign. Only once in five games against Lada did the Omsk team concede at even strength while Chistyakov was on the ice. The young defenseman contributed with two assists, assisting in goals by Tomas Jurco (in game two) and Reid Boucher (in the third game). On average, he had about two shots on goal per game, while also blocking eight shots and executing eight hits. Chistyakov serves as a key defenseman for Avangard, contributing to both power play and penalty kill situations. Interestingly, unlike many of the aforementioned players, he is notably more experienced in the playoffs and is soon to reach the milestone of 50 postseason games.