Three more clinch playoff spots

The post-season picture is getting clearer. Nine of the 16 playoff spots are now filled, while two teams are out of contention in the West. Elsewhere, scoring records are tumbling from Shanghai to Minsk while three KHLers made it to the medal games at the Olympics. 

Avto, CSKA, Torpedo book into post season

Avtomobilist became the latest team to secure its playoff spot, thanks to a 4-1 win over Shanghai Dragons on Sunday. The Motormen could have got over the line earlier in the week, but lost 2-5 at home to Admiral. There was a brief threat of a repeat when the Dragons opened the scoring at the start of the second period but the home team rallied to claim the win, helped by two points from Daniel Sprong. Stephane da Costa returned from the Olympics in time to play in the game.

CSKA had a similar story. The Muscovites could have punched their ticket at the start of the week, but an eight-game winning streak came to an unexpected end as Lada suddenly snapped a seven-game skid. Then came defeat at SKA, but the Dragons’ defeat at Avtomobilist ensured CSKA will finish in the top eight.

Torpedo also secured a top-eight finish and, like Avtomobilist, did it with victory over Shanghai. Vladimir Tkachyov’s OT snipe settled a rollercoaster game in Nizhny Novgorod.

At the other end of the standings, HC Sochi is now out of playoff contention following Spartak’s win in Ufa on Sunday.

Kuznetsov on form

Evgeny Kuznetsov looks to be right at home with Salavat Yulaev. This week he extended his hot streak to six games, putting up 2+8 in that time. The highlight was a four-point show in Wednesday’s visit to his native Chelyabinsk. Previously, Kuznetsov had not managed a single point against Traktor, the club where he learned his trade. But after assisting on the opener, he potted the second goal himself. Two further helpers paced a 6-0 rout for Salavat Yulaev.

Poturalski streak ends … and resumes

Avangard’s Andrew Poturalski stretched his hot streak to 13 games, compiling 6+14 in that time. The run came to an end on Friday during the Hawks’ shoot-out win over Sibir Although Poturalski grabbed the decider in the shoot-out, that doesn’t count among his scoring stats. But the Canadian’s successful KHL rookie season quickly got back on track. On Sunday he was back at it with 3 (1+2) points despite a 3-4 loss at home to Amur.

Sharipzyanov closing on Lee’s record

Avangard captain Damir Sharipzyanov became only the second defenseman in KHL history to reach 60 points in a season. Now he is hunting down Chris Lee’s all-time record of 65, set with Metallurg in 2017, and has 10 games left to find five more points.

Merkley eclipses Captain China

In the Kunlun Red Star days, nobody embodied the Dragons quite like Brandon Yip. But the new-look Shanghai Dragons are built around new stars – and Nick Merkley claimed Yip’s record for points in a season. His two assists during Friday’s OT win at Barys moved him to 43 points for the season, one more than ‘Captain China’ managed in his best campaign. Merkley could also beat the club goal record this term, needing one more snipe to tie Devin Brosseau on 23.

Radulov reaches 800 points

Alexander Radulov is still piling up the points at the age of 39. Last week the veteran forward reached 800 in the KHL. Only Vadim Shipachyov and Sergei Mozyakin reached that landmark before him.

Records for Minsk

A 6-1 thrashing of Spartak on Wednesday took Dinamo Minsk to 208 goals for the season. That set a new club record in the KHL, beating the 206 the Belarusians scored in 2024/2025. American forward Sam Anas has played no small part in that tally. He has 27 goals this season, beating the previous club record shared by Matt Ellison and Geoff Platt. With 47 assists, Anas also leads the KHL scoring race on 74 points ahead of Metallurg’s Vladimir Tkachyov and Avangard’s Konstantin Okulov, both on 63.

Slovakia finishes fourth in Milan

Team Slovakia, featuring Martin Gernat (Lokomotiv), Adam Ruzicka (Spartak) and Adam Liska (Severstal) made it to the medal games at this year’s Winter Olympics. However, on the final weekend the Slovaks were unable to repeat their podium finish from 2022. The semifinal brought a 2-6 loss to eventual gold medallist Team USA, and the bronze medal game ended a in 1-6 reverse against defending champion Finland. Ruzicka got an assist against the Americans to finish fourth in team scoring with 5 (2+3) points. Gernat scored 1+3 and Liska contributed 0+2.

It's the Weal deal

Jordan Weal agreed a new contract with Dynamo Moscow, stretching his time with the Blue-and-Whites until 2028. The 33-year-old Canadian came to the KHL in 2021 and spent one season with Ak Bars before moving to the capital. He has 275 (95+180) points from 326 games. Previously he had 218 NHL games through five seasons with Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Arizona and Montreal.