Lokomotiv and Traktor starts their battle today

The KHL Gagarin Cup first semifinals series kicks off today as Traktor travels to Yaroslavl. Three of the four surviving teams have never lifted the Cup, with only Magnitka being a past winner. In the other series, Metallurg will face Avtomobilist in a Urals Derby.

The Gagarin Cup playoffs’ semifinals round starts today, with only one Western Conference team remaining. This formula was introduced for the 2023-2024 season as teams are now included in a unified pool, without the traditional Conference-split setup.

19:30: Lokomotiv vs Traktor

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: Lokomotiv vs CSKA 4-1; Traktor vs Salavat Yulaev 4-2.
2^nd round: Lokomotiv vs Avangard 4-3; Traktor vs Dynamo Moscow 4-0.

About the game
Lokomotiv downed Traktor twice in this year’s regular season (3:2 OT, 3:1).
Lokomotiv’s goalie is on a 77:28 shutout streak.
Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Beryozkin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that span.
Traktor’s forward Anton Burdasov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points.
Traktor’s forward Semyon Der-Arguchintsev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.
Traktor’s forward Pavel Kotlyarevsky is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Traktor’s defenseman Albert Yarullin had an assist in each of his previous three games.

Injury list
Traktor: Andrei Chibisov.

Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s forward Andrei Sergeyev may reach 200 KHL assists (currently at 198).
Traktor’s defenseman Artyom Blazhiyevsky may score his 100^th league point (currently at 99).
Traktor’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov may score his 50^th point in the Gagarin Cup playoffs (currently at 49).