Traktor looks to wrap up its series; crucial game five in Moscow
Traktor and Dynamo Moscow face crucial game fives today in the 2025 Gagarin Cup playoffs. First, Traktor can close out its second-round series against Dinamo Minsk on home ice after bouncing back from a heavy defeat. Then, Dynamo returns to Moscow with momentum on its side, aiming to break the home-ice curse and take the lead in a hard-fought series against Ak Bars, which is currently tied at two.
14:00: Traktor vs Dinamo Minsk
Series stand
3-1 (4:2, 4:3 ОТ, 0:8, 3:2).
About the game
Traktor bounced back from Wednesday’s 0:8 thrashing in Minsk to edge a 3:2 verdict (with yet another comeback) and restore a two-game advantage. Benoit Groulx’s team can now wrap up the 2025 KHL second-round series on home ice on home ice. Charlie Robinson netted the game winner in the third stanza, with Vasily Glotov and Andrei Svetlakov scoring their second point of the night. Vitaly Pinchuk and Xavier Ouellet’s strong performance wasn’t enough for the Bison, who were without leading forward Vadim Shipachyov, whose participation in game five is under question. Today, Dinamo must win to extend its longest KHL season until at least the middle of next week.
Dinamo Minsk's forward Ilya Usov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (4+3) points over that span.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Vitaly Pinchuk is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Sam Anas had an assist in each of his previous three matches.
Milestone alert
Dinamo Minsk’s defenseman Kristian Khenkel lines up for his 500th KHL appearance.
19:00: Dynamo Moscow vs Ak Bars
Series stand
2-2 (3:5, 0:2, 3:1, 3:2).
About the game
In this series, home ice seems to be a disadvantage. Dynamo won its second game in Kazan, having previously dropped two verdicts at home to Ak Bars. In game four, a double from Dylan Sikura made the difference, and Kazan’s attempts to save the game fell short, despite Dmitrij Jaskin’s late goal. Timur Bilyalov had a bleak game in goal, with only 13 saves, including allowing Sikura’s opening goal on Dynamo Moscow’s first shot on goal. Alexei Kudashov opted for Vladislav Podyapolsky again, who replied with a strong game and 32 stops. Game five will be a pivotal moment for the continuation of the series.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Mitchel Miller is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points over that span.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Yegor Babenko.
Milestone alert
Game five marks Ak Bars’ head coach Anvar Gatiyatulin’s 450th game in the KHL.
