Momentum and survival collide in crucial Game 4 clashes
Home teams made their move in Game Three, with Salavat Yulaev and Torpedo taking a 2–1 lead over Avtomobilist and Severstal respectively, while Traktor and SKA cut the gap to 2–1 against Ak Bars and CSKA, setting up a crucial Game Four across all four series.
13:30: Salavat Yulaev (5th E) vs Avtomobilist (4th E)
Series stand
2-1 (0:2, 1:0, 4:3).
About the game
After three goals in the first six periods of the series in Yekaterinburg, the teams produced three goals in 18 minutes of the starting frame in Ufa. The home team was without Evgeny Kuznetsov, but another Kuznetsov, Maxim, got the winning goal late in the third period. Daniel Sprong netted another double for the Motormen, who lacked secondary scoring, unlike Salavat Yulaev, who had four different scorers, including Sheldon Rempal, Devin Brosseau and Vladislav Yefremov, all finding the back of the net in front of a capacity crowd at Ufa Arena.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Alexander Chyorny, Alexander Komarov, Prokhor Korbit, Gleb Kuzmin.
Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Daniil Alalykhin lines up for his 300th league appearance.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Pyotr Khokhryakov may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
Salavat Yulaev’s goalie Semyon Vyazovoi may record his 10th KHL shutout.
Salavat Yulaev is at its 200th game in the Gagarin Cup playoffs.
Avtomobilist’s defenseman Dmitry Yudin may dish out his 100th career assist (currently at 99).
14:30: Traktor (6th E) vs Ak Bars (3rd E)
Series stand
1-2 (2:3 ОТ, 2:4, 3:2).
About the game
Victory on home ice in Chelyabinsk put Traktor right back in this series, thanks largely to a strong second period. Despite being without top scorer Vitaly Kravtsov and leading defenseman Grigory Dronov, goals from Alexander Kadeikin, Mikhail Grigorenko and Joshua Leivo in that middle frame opened a lead that Ak Bars could not retrieve. Traktor’s defenseman Michal Cajkovsky was assessed a major penalty in the dying minutes, but the Kazan’s side failed to convert the man advantage as Dmitry Nikolayev finished the game with 30 saves. Two points from Artyom Galimov and Mitchell Miller weren’t enough for Ak Bars, who still remains on the top in this exciting first-round series.
Traktor’s forward Vitaly Kravtsov is on a six-game scoring streak, with 9 (4+5) points over that stretch.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Mitchel Miller is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Injury list
Traktor: Sergei Mylnikov.
Milestone alert
Traktor’s defenseman Michal Cajkovsky may reach 200 points in the KHL (currently at 199).
Ak Bars’ goalie Timur Bilyalov may record his 40th KHL shutout.
17:00: Torpedo (6th W) vs Severstal (3rd W)
Series stand
2-1 (4:1, 0:4, 3:1).
About the game
After splitting the opening games in Cherepovets, Torpedo moved back in front on home ice. Game Three was a tight one between two teams that seem evenly matched, but Torpedo held on to claim victory. Amir Garayev claimed the winning goal for the hosts, who also enjoyed a two-point performance by Vladimir Tkachyov. Mikhail Ilyin’s third tally in the series wasn’t enough for Severstal. Denis Kostin had 33 saves for Torpedo in another strong performance.
Severstal’s forward Alexander Skorenov had an assist in each of his previous three matches.
Milestone alert
Torpedo’s forward Dmitry Shevchenko may score his 100th career point.
Torpedo’s defenseman Anton Silayev lines up for his 200th league appearance.
17:00: SKA (5th W) vs CSKA (4th W)
Series stand
1-2 (2:3 2ОТ, 2:4, 1:0).
About the game
Joseph Blandisi’s power play goal was enough to earn SKA its first victory of the 2026 KHL playoffs. He struck early in the second period to separate the teams as the action moved to St. Petersburg, while Sergei Ivanov made 22 saves to earn a shutout in his debut game in postseason action. Gamzin was good as well for CSKA, making 28 stops, but the Muscovites lacked firepower as they failed to beat Ivanov and SKA’s defense, with the St. Petersburg franchise reopening the series.
SKA’s goalie Sergei Ivanov is on a 72:26 shutout streak.
Injury list
CSKA: Danila Moiseyev, Vladislav Provolnev.
SKA: Igor Larionov, Trevor Murphy, Nikita Zaitsev.
Milestone alert
SKA’s goalie Sergei Ivanov may record his 10th KHL shutout.
CSKA’s forward Prokhor Poltapov lines up for his 300th league appearance.
