Second round series to kick off today!
Avangard and CSKA renew a rivalry shaped by two recent Gagarin Cup Finals, splitting those matchups with one title each, while Lokomotiv looks to build on last year’s semifinal win over Salavat Yulaev. With limited playoff history beyond that, both second-round series open balanced but with clear recent reference points.
16:30: Avangard (2nd E) vs CSKA (4th W)
Series stand
0-0
Series history
2019: Gagarin Cup finals. CSKA defeated Avangard 4-0.
2021: Gagarin Cup finals. Avangard defeated CSKA 4-2.
About the game
Avangard defeated CSKA twice in this season’s meetings, 2:1 at home and 2:0 away.
Avangard’s forward Nikolai Prokhorkin enters the second round on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points over that stretch.
Avangard’s forward Michael McLeod had an assist in each of his previous three matches.
Injury list
Avangard: Ivan Igumnov.
CSKA: Danila Moiseyev, Vladislav Provolnev.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s defenseman Semyon Chistyakov may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
19:30: Lokomotiv (1st W) vs Salavat Yulaev (5th E)
Series stand
0-0
Series history
2025: Gagarin Cup semifinals. Lokomotiv defeated Salavat Yulaev 4-1.
About the game
Lokomotiv defeated Salavat Yulaev twice in this season’s meetings, 4:3 OT at home and 4:1 away.
Lokomotiv’s defenseman Rushan Rafikov enters the series on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that stretch.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Sheldon Rempal is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Alexander Chyorny, Alexander Komarov, Prokhor Korbit, Evgeny Kulik, Gleb Kuzmin.
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.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Evgeny Kuznetsov may score his 100th goal in the KHL (currently at 99).
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.
