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The battle for the 2025 Gagarin Cup kicks off!
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, Metallurg, plays today as well, facing Avangard in a high-stake matchup. In the second Eastern clash today, Avtomobilist hosts Ak Bars after last year’s first-round showdown. In the West, Spartak welcomes Severstal in another repeat of last year’s series, then Dinamo Minsk faces CSKA as the two teams meet for the first time in the elimination stage.
17:00: Metallurg vs Avangard
Series stand
0-0
Series history
2011: 2nd round meet-up. Metallurg defeated Avangard 4-3.
2012: 2nd round meet-up. Avangard defeated Metallurg 4-1.
2021: 2nd round meet-up. Avangard defeated Metallurg 4-2.
2022: 2nd round meet-up. Metallurg defeated Avangard 4-3.
2023: 2nd round meet-up. Metallurg defeated Avangard 4-0
About the game
The teams won three games each in the season series, each taking two home games and one away contest (4:2, 2:3 OT, 1:2 SO, 2:1 OT, 2:1, 1:2).
Metallurg’s defenseman Robin Press enters the elimination stage on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points over that span.
Avangard’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that stretch.
Avangard’s forward Nail Yakupov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Injury list
Metallurg: Vladislav Yeryomenko, Danila Yurov.
Avangard: Sergei Boikov.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s forward Nikita Mikhailis may reach 300 KHL points (currently at 299).
17:00: Avtomobilist vs Ak Bars
Series stand
0-0
Series history
2015: 1st round meet-up. Ak Bars defeated Avtomobilist 4:1.
2024: 1st round meet-up. Avtomobilist defeated Ak Bars 4:1.
About the game
Ak Bars has achieved three victories over Avtomobilist in the regular season, against one win for the Motormen (2:6, 1:4, 2:1, 1:4).
Ak Bars’ forward Kirill Semyonov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points over that span.
Ak Bars’ goalie Timur Bilyalov enters the playoffs on a 60:00 shutout streak.
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Curtis Valk.
Ak Bars: Yegor Babenko.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s defenseman Nick Ebert and forward Nick Merkley may each score their 100th point in the league (currently at 99).
19:30: Spartak vs Severstal
Series stand
0-0
Series history
2024: 1st round meet-up. Spartak defeated Severstal 4:1.
About the game
The regular season’s series between the two teams ended on a 2-2 tie (4:1, 3:5, 6:8, 4:2).
Spartak’s forward Pavel Poryadin enters the elimination stage on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (1+6) points over that span.
Spartak’s forward Nikolai Goldobin is on a six-game scoring streak, with 7 (5+2) points.
Severstal’s forward Nikita Chebykin is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points.
Severstal’s defenseman Mark Barberio had an assist in each of his previous three matches.
Injury list
Severstal: Yaroslav Dyblenko.
Milestone alert
Spartak’s goalies Dmitry Nikolayev and Artyom Zagidulin may each record their 10th league shutout.
19:30: Dinamo Minsk vs CSKA
Series stand
0-0
Series history
It’s the first time the two sides meet in the elimination stage.
About the game
Dinamo Minsk swept the regular-season series between the two teams 4-0 (5:4 OT, 2:0, 4:1, 4:1).
Dinamo Minsk’s veteran forward Vadim Shipachyov enters his fifteenth KHL playoffs on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Dinamo Minsk’s defenseman Jordan Gross is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Nikita Pyshkaylo, Daniil Sotishvili, Ilya Usov.
CSKA: Vitaly Abramov.
