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Traktor advances to semi-final, Dynamo edges ahead of Ak Bars
Traktor became the first team to reach the 2025 Gagarin Cup semi-finals after wrapping up its series against Dinamo Minsk in five games. A 3-1 win in Chelyabinsk saw Benoit Groulx’s team through the final four for the second year running. In Sunday’s other action, Dynamo Moscow recorded the first home victory of its series against Ak Bars and leads 3-2 ahead of the return to Kazan on Tuesday.
Traktor looks to wrap up its series; crucial game five in Moscow
Traktor and Dynamo Moscow face crucial game fives today in the 2025 Gagarin Cup playoffs. First, Traktor can close out its second-round series against Dinamo Minsk on home ice after bouncing back from a heavy defeat. Then, Dynamo returns to Moscow with momentum on its side, aiming to break the home-ice curse and take the lead in a hard-fought series against Ak Bars, which is currently tied at two.
Traktor close to progress, Ak Bars and Dynamo deadlocked
In Minsk, Traktor edged a 3-2 verdict to go up 3-1 in the Gagarin Cup second round playoff series against Dinamo. Just two days after an 8-0 drubbing, Benoit Groulx’s team is just one win away from the semi-finals. Today’s other series is all square: Dynamo Moscow won 3-2 in Kazan despite a dominant performance from Ak Bars. The teams had back to the capital tied at 2-2.
Dinamo Minsk and Dynamo Moscow looking to tie things up in game four
Dinamo Minsk looks to ride momentum after an 8:0 blowout to even the series against Traktor, while Dynamo Moscow aims to build on a crucial road win and tighten their grip on Ak Bars. With both capital teams trying to capitalize on surging form and key scoring streaks, tonight’s games promise intensity, unpredictability, and perhaps another twist in two fiercely contested Gagarin Cup battles.
Western teams still down as the series move to Minsk and Kazan
Dinamo Minsk and Dynamo Moscow will try to cut the opposition’s advantage in game three. The Belarusians will have a chance at home, while the Blue-and-Whites travel to Tatarstan to try and revert the trend of the first couple of matches.
Eastern contenders open 2-0 leads
Traktor pulled off another comeback win to open a 2-0 lead over Dinamo Minsk in its Gagarin Cup second round series. The Belarusians led 3-0, but tied 3-3 in regulation before Grigory Dronov’s goal sent the pairing to Minsk with Traktor in control. Ak Bars also holds a 2-0 lead in its series against Dynamo Moscow. A 2-0 success in the Russian capital has Anvar Gatiyatulin’s men heading home in a strong position.
Western teams are seeking revenge today!
In the first game, Eastern-based Traktor and Ak Bars defeated Dinamo Minsk and Dynamo Moscow, respectively, to start the series on a positive note. Today, the Western Conference’s teams will be seeking revenge as the second games tip off, hoping to even the score and shift momentum back in their favor.
The late shows
There was drama in the closing stages of both KHL playoff games on Saturday. Ak Bars saw a two-goal lead evaporate, but scored twice in the last two minutes to win at Dynamo Moscow. Traktor’s recovery was even more spectacular: down 1-2 in the last minute, it scored three times to win 4-2 against Dinamo Minsk.
Second round to start for the other two series!
The second round continues, with Traktor facing Dinamo Minsk and Dynamo Moscow hosting Ak Bars. It’s the first time that Traktor clashes with the Belarusians in the Gagarin Cup playoffs, and overall the first time for the Minsk franchise to advance past the first round. Dynamo Moscow and Ak Bars, instead, last met in the elimination stage back in 2009 – sixteen years ago, with the Kazan side claiming the final victory.
Dominant performances and a helping hand. First round’s top imports
Dinamo Minsk celebrates the first won series in its KHL history with a significant contribution by its international players, with Salavat Yulaev also relying on imports, especially Sheldon Rempal. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
Minsk celebrates first ever KHL playoff progress
Dinamo Minsk dumped CSKA Moscow out of the Gagarin Cup. A 5-2 victory in the Russian capital completed a 4-2 series win for Dmitry Kvartalnov’s men. It’s the first time in KHL history that the Belarusians have progressed beyond the first round of the playoffs, with Kvartalnov getting the better of one of his former clubs to make history.
Three teams on the brink, who will survive to force game seven?
The battle for a spot in the next round intensifies as Avangard, Ak Bars, and CSKA fight to stay alive in their respective series. Metallurg looks to force a seventh game against Avangard, while Avtomobilist and Dinamo Minsk aim to close things out on the road. Goalies are stealing the spotlight, with Nabokov, Alikin, and Demchenko all coming off stellar performances for the winning sides. Will they be the difference-makers again, or will the opposition teams rally to extend their seasons?
Spartak marches on, Dinamo runs riot in Minsk
A comfortable home victory over Severstal saw Spartak safely into the second round of the 2025 Gagarin Cup playoffs. Alexei Zhamnov’s team finished the series in five games and joins Lokomotiv in the last eight. In today’s other Western Conference tie, Dinamo Minsk blitzed CSKA 7-0 to regain the lead in the series. The teams will return to Moscow with Dinamo up 3-2.
Key battles ahead as playoffs series intensify; Avangard and Spartak may advance
The Gagarin Cup playoffs heat up with crucial matchups across the board. Metallurg fights to stay alive at home against Avangard, looking to extend the series after avoiding a sweep. Avtomobilist and Ak Bars return to Yekaterinburg with their series tied, as both teams aim to take control. Spartak gets another chance to close out Severstal, while the Steelers hope to force a game six. Meanwhile, Dinamo Minsk and CSKA battle in a pivotal game five, with the winner gaining a crucial edge in this tightly contested series of capitals.
Severstal fights on, CSKA ties it up
With a 4-2 win over Spartak, Severstal escaped a sweep in its first-round KHL playoff series and sent the action back to Moscow on Thursday. As a result, seven out of eight series are guaranteed to go to at least five games, with only Lokomotiv still capable of a sweep when it plays Torpedo tomorrow. In Tuesday’s other action, CSKA defeated Dinamo Minsk at home, completing a recovery from 0-2 to tie the series ahead of the return to Belarus for game five.
On the brink: Avangard and Spartak eye the sweep
Avangard and Spartak have a chance to close out their series with commanding 4-0 sweeps as they take the ice against Metallurg and Severstal, respectively. Meanwhile, Dinamo Minsk looks to push CSKA to the edge, while Ak Bars fights to level its series against Avtomobilist after a dramatic double-OT loss. With game four underway across the board, teams facing elimination will need to dig deep to keep their playoff hopes alive. Will we see the first teams advance to the next round, or will the battles rage on?
Spartak closes on round two, CSKA revives its chances
Both Moscow teams picked up wins in today’s Western Conference playoffs. For CSKA, a come-from-behind success at home to Dinamo Minsk was vital to keep the series alive. Ilya Vorobyov’s team gave up an early goal but rallied to draw back to 1-2 in the series. Spartak, meanwhile, is just one game away from progress after edging a 1-0 verdict at Severstal. The Red-and-Whites could complete the sweep on Tuesday.
Will Metallurg and CSKA recover from a two-game deficit?
The reigning Gagarin Cup champion has its back against the wall after two defeats at home and will be forced to win if they want to have a real chance to return to cup contention. Then, the second Eastern series returns to Kazan after Avtomobilist tied things up in game two. In the Western Conference, Severstal will try to revert the trend after two Spartak wins, while CSKA will seek to at least get a first win in the series returning at home after two losses to Dinamo Minsk.
Lokomotiv, Dynamo both up 2-0
Saturday’s Western Conference action followed the formbook – but the two games were rather different. Lokomotiv blanked Torpedo to record a second fairly straightforward victory in its series. Dynamo, meanwhile, edged a tight overtime verdict after a 1-1 tie at home to SKA. Both of Saturday’s victors head out on the road with 2-0 leads ahead of Monday’s games.
Dinamo, Spartak open 2-0 leads
In the West, Dinamo Minsk and Spartak Moscow are both in strong positions in their first-round playoff series. The Belarusians again scored five on CSKA and head to Moscow with a 2-0 lead in the series. Spartak is in a similar position after beating Severstal 4-2 with Alexander Pashin moving to 4 (2+2) points in post season.
Pressure on home sides in the East, opposite situation in the West
Avangard collected a road win to open the series against the Gagarin Cup champion, while Ak Bars stunned Avtomobilist as both away teams claimed victory in the Eastern Conference. In the West, Spartak and Dinamo Minsk will try to double their advantage in game two against Severstal and CSKA, respectively.
Minsk mauls CSKA, Spartak edges OT verdict
In both of Wednesday’s Western Conference games, the visitor opened a 2-0 lead – and ended up losing. CSKA scored twice in three minutes in Minsk, but Dinamo roared back to win it 5-2. In Moscow, Severstal led 2-0 and 4-2 against Spartak only to fall in overtime.
The battle for the 2025 Gagarin Cup kicks off!
Four pairs start today, with eight teams kicking off their path towards the most coveted trophy in the season, the Gagarin Cup. The reigning champion, Metallurg, plays today as well, facing Avangard in a high-stake matchup. In the second Eastern clash today, Avtomobilist hosts Ak Bars after last year’s first-round showdown. In the West, Spartak welcomes Severstal in another repeat of last year’s series, then Dinamo Minsk faces CSKA as the two teams meet for the first time in the elimination stage.
Aimurzin’s late strike sinks Dynamo, playoff line-up confirmed. March 23 round-up
Severstal grabbed a late winner at home to Dynamo, moving up to sixth place on the final day of the KHL regular season. As a result, Dynamo is set for a first-round playoff battle with old rival SKA, while Severstal will begin at Spartak. The Red-and-Whites secured third place in the West with a come-from-behind win over Lada, while Dinamo Minsk’s victory at Sochi kept the Belarusians in the top four. They will play CSKA, which snapped a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 win at Vityaz, while Neftekhimik thumped Admiral as the Sailors continue to struggle ahead of the playoffs.
Final push: last regular season matchday
The final regular season matchday features five games that will determine key playoff positions. It begins with Vityaz hosting CSKA, where the visitors can clinch fourth place in the West with a win and a Dinamo Minsk loss to Sochi in regulation. Spartak faces Lada in Moscow, aiming to secure third place under similar conditions. In the East, Admiral visits Nizhnekamsk, needing just an overtime appearance to claim seventh. Sochi hosts Dinamo Minsk, who are still in the race for third. The day ends with Dynamo Moscow taking on Severstal, with the visitors needing a single point to lock in sixth.