More verdicts on the horizon as home teams eye second round spots
After the first verdicts, more series could reach their conclusion, with Avangard, Metallurg, and reigning champion Lokomotiv all holding 3–1 leads over Neftekhimik, Sibir, and Spartak respectively, each one win away from advancing, while their opponents look to stay alive and force a return game.
16:30: Avangard (2nd E) vs Neftekhimik (7th E)
Series stand
3-1 (4:2, 3:4 2ОТ, 2:1, 5:2).
About the game
The Hawks are one win away from flying into round two of the 2026 KHL playoffs after comfortably beating Neftekhimik in Game Four. Avangard had some problems earlier in the series, but the team recorded a 5:2 win on the road courtesy of doubles from Alexander Volkov and Nikolai Prokhorkin. Game Three’s hero Dmitry Rashevsky had two assists, while Konstantin Okulov netted his third goal in the series. Nikita Serebryakov had 27 saves guarding Avangard’s crease. Two assists by Dinar Khafizullin from Neftekhimik’s blue line weren’t enough for the Wolves, who are in a do-or-die today.
Injury list
Avangard: Ivan Igumnov.
Neftekhimik: Vladislav Barulin.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s defenseman Semyon Chistyakov may record his 100th career assist (currently at 99).
17:00: Metallurg (1st E) vs Sibir (8th E)
Series stand
3-1 (4:1, 5:1, 3:1, 0:1 2ОТ).
About the game
A goal from in-form Anton Kosolapov moments before the end of the second period of extra time kept Sibir’s season alive. Metallurg was unable to solve Mikhail Berdin, who claimed his first ever KHL shut-out with 41 stops. Metallurg’s goaltending was fine as well, with Alexander Smolin and Ilya Nabokov combining for 48 saves, with Smolin receiving a rare game-misconduct penalty a few seconds before the mid-game mark. Today the crowd will see if Sibir managed to tilt momentum, or if I was just a flash in the pan as Magnitka will secure the series.
Metallurg’s goalie Alexander Smolin is on a 69:00 shutout streak.
Sibir’s goalie Mikhail Berdin is on a 127:34 shutout streak.
Injury list
Metallurg: Dmitry Silantyev.
19:30: Lokomotiv (1st W) vs Spartak (8th W)
Series stand
3-1 (5:3, 1:2 ОТ, 4:3 ОТ, 2:0).
About the game
The defending champion picked up a 2:0 win in Moscow over eighth-seeded Spartak and can wrap up its first-round series with victory on home ice today. Rushan Rafikov and Maxim Beryozkin scored for Lokomotiv, who put on a defensive clinic allowing only 18 saves to the Red-and-Whites, all saved by Daniil Isayev. The Railwaymen’s goalie recorded his first shutout in this year’s elimination stage. Will he have another one today as Lokomotiv closes the affair at home, or will Spartak score a second, sensational win to return the series to Moscow?
Lokomotiv’s goalie Daniil Isayev is on a 67:14 shutout streak.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s forward Pavel Kraskovsky may score his 200th career point (currently at 198), while defenseman Alexander Yelesin may reach 100 (currently at 99).
Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Shalunov may record his 200th career assist (currently at 199).
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk may record his 10th KHL shutout.
Spartak’s forward Ivan Morozov may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 199).
