Other two series to kick off today!

The remaining two series of the Gagarin Cup playoffs’ second round start today, with Metallurg hosting Spartak, and SKA facing Avtomobilist. Both series are completely new for the league, as these teams never met earlier in the Gagarin Cup playoffs.

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.

14:30: Metallurg vs Spartak

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: Metallurg vs Amur 4-2; Spartak vs Severstal 4-2.

About the game
Metallurg has defeated Spartak twice in this year’s regular season (3:1, 6:2).
The Red-and-Whites have defeated Metallurg in Magnitogorsk just once in history (a 3:2 win on Dec 06, 2021).
Metallurg’s defenseman Robin Press is on a six-game scoring streak, with 7 (2+5) points over that span.
Spartak’s forwards Alexander Pashin and German Rubtsov are on an identical three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.

Injury list
Spartak: Patrik Rybar.

Milestone alert
Metallurg’s forward Pavel Akolzin may reach 100 career points (currently at 99).
Spartak’s defenseman Michal Cajkovsky may line up for his 100^th Gagarin Cup playoffs career game.

17:00: SKA vs Avtomobilist

Series stand
0-0

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

Playoff paths:
1^st round: SKA vs Torpedo 4-1, Avtomobilist vs Ak Bars 4-1.

About the game
The two teams traded wins in the regular season (4:0, 2:3 SO).
SKA’s goalie Nikita Serebryakov is on a 104:44 shutout streak.
SKA’s forward Vasily Glotov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points over that span.
SKA’s forward Marat Khairullin is also on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (1+5) points.

Injury list
SKA: Vladimir Alistrov, Andrei Pedan, Borna Rendulic, Ivan Zinchenko.
Avtomobilist: Stephane Da Costa, Vladimir Kuznetsov.

Milestone alert
SKA’s forward Arseny Gritsyuk lines up for his 200^th KHL career game.
SKA’s forward Alexander Kadeikin may net his 100^th career tally (currently at 99).
Avtomobilist’s forward Brooks Macek may reach 100 league assists (currently at 99).