Another four series kick off today!

Four more pairs hit the ice today, as eight teams continue their quest for the Gagarin Cup. In the East, Avangard takes on Neftekhimik, while Metallurg faces Sibir. In the West, reigning champions Lokomotiv meets Spartak Moscow after a dominant regular-season sweep, while Dinamo Minsk go up against Dynamo Moscow in a matchup that flips 2024 playoff script, rounding out another packed slate of postseason action.

16:30: Avangard (2^nd E) vs Neftekhimik (7^th E)

Series stand
0-0

Series history
2010: 1^st round meet-up. Neftekhimik defeated Avangard 3-0.
2011: 1^st round meet-up. Avangard defeated Neftekhimik 4-3.
2016: 1^st round meet-up. Avangard defeated Neftekhimik 4-0.

About the game
Avangard celebrated three wins over Neftekhimik in the regular season, against one victory for the Wolves (2:1, 5:6, 3:0, 4:3 OT).
Avangard’s forward Konstantin Okulov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points over that stretch.
Avangard’s forward Alexander Volkov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov had an assist in each of his previous three matches.
Neftekhimik’s forward Andrei is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+2) points over that span.

Injury list
Neftekhimik: Vladislav Barulin.

Milestone alert
Avangard’s forward Nikolai Prokhorkin lines up for his 700^th league appearance, while forward Michael McLeod reaches 100.

17:00: Metallurg (1^st E) vs Sibir (8^th E)

Series stand
0-0

Series history
2014: 2^nd round meet-up. Metallurg defeated Sibir 4-0.
2015: 2^nd round meet-up. Sibir defeated Metallurg 4-1.
2016: 2^nd round meet-up. Metallurg defeated Sibir 4-1.

About the game
Metallurg celebrated three wins over Sibir in the regular season, against one victory for the Novosibirsk team (4:3, 2:1 OT, 1:2, 2:1 OT).
Metallurg’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov enters the elimination stage on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that stretch.
Metallurg’s forward Alexander Petunin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Sibir’s goalie Mikhail Berdin is on a 61:43 shutout streak.
Sibir’s forward Anton Kosolapov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that span.
Sibir’s forward Semyon Koshelev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Sibir’s forward Mikhail Abramov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.

Injury list
Metallurg: Dmitry Silantyev.
Sibir: Ilya Fedotov.

19:30: Lokomotiv (1^st W) vs Spartak (8^th W)

Series stand
0-0

Series history
2009: 2^nd round meet-up. Lokomotiv defeated Spartak 3-0.
2010: 2^nd round meet-up. Lokomotiv defeated Spartak 4-2.

About the game
Lokomotiv swept the season series against Spartak four games to zero (5:2, 6:3, 3:2 OT, 3:1).
Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Beryozkin is on a seven-game scoring streak, with 9 (1+8) points over that stretch.
Lokomotiv’s forward Artur Kayumov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.

Injury list
Spartak: Brendan Biro.

Disqualifications
Lokomotiv’s defenseman Nikita Cherepanov serves the second game of a three-match ban.

Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s forward Pavel Kraskovsky may score his 200^th career point (currently at 198), while defenseman Alexander Yelesin may reach 100 (currently at 99).
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk may record his 10^th KHL shutout.

19:30: Dinamo Minsk (2^nd W) vs Dynamo Moscow (7^th W)
Series stand
0-0

Series history
2012: 1^st round meet-up. Dynamo Moscow defeated Dinamo Minsk 4-0.
2024: 1^st round meet-up. Dynamo Moscow defeated Dinamo Minsk 4-2.

About the game
Dinamo Minsk celebrated three wins over Dynamo Moscow in the regular season, against one victory for the Muscovites (4:3, 2:1 OT, 1:2, 2:1 OT).
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Sam Anas enters the elimination stage on a five-game scoring streak, with 9 (3+6) points over that stretch.
Dinamo Minsk’s defenseman Ty Smith is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Ryan Spooner had at least an assist in each of his previous three matches, totaling four helpers.
Dynamo Moscow’s defenseman Daniil Pylenkov is on a a five-game scoring streak, with 8 (2+6) points over that span.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Dylan Sikura is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points.

Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Vadim Moroz.
Dynamo Moscow: Fredrik Claesson, Kirill Gotovets, Artyom Mikheyev.

Milestone alert
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Stanislav Galiyev may reach 300 KHL points (currently at 298).
Dinamo Minsk’s goalie Vasily Demchenko may record his 30^th KHL shutout.