The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) is gearing up for the decisive stage of the battle for the coveted Gagarin Cup, with the first round of playoffs kicking off on March 26, 2025. This year, 16 teams will compete within their respective conferences before moving into a cross-format playoff system, where clubs from the Western and Eastern conferences will face off against each other.
Last year, the Gagarin Cup was claimed by Lokomotiv, which finished the regular season as the top team. As they enter the playoffs, they are considered the favorites to repeat their success. However, they will face stiff competition from other teams, particularly the Moscow clubs Dynamo and Spartak, both of which have shown promising performances throughout the season.
According to sports analyst Alexey Osin, the stakes are high for Dynamo as they prepare to face off against SKA in the first round. Osin noted, "For Dynamo, it’s crucial to get past the first round, which will provide an emotional boost for Alexey Kudashov's team as they advance through the playoffs. The matchup between Dynamo and SKA is as much about psychology as it is about skill, despite Dynamo having secured five wins against them in the regular season. If Dynamo loses this series, there could be significant pressure on Kudashov, as the club expects at least a finals appearance this season."
Fans of Spartak are also hopeful as their team, under the guidance of coach Alexey Zhamnov, has demonstrated a strong attacking game this season. Osin commented on the team's morale, saying, "I can sense a fighting spirit among Spartak fans. They will face Severstal in the first round, which I don't consider a difficult opponent for them."
In contrast, the situation for CSKA is more precarious. Experts have mixed feelings about their chances in the playoffs, particularly as they prepare to face Dynamo Minsk. Osin remarked, "Dynamo Minsk, led by coach Dmitry Kvartalnov, has performed impressively, securing a spot among the top four teams in the West. CSKA's lineup has been described as 'very average' by former KHL general manager Leonid Vaisfeld, who expressed concerns about their selection process and the underperformance of key players like Abramov and Kamenev. It's hard to see how the army men will suddenly transform their game."
Ilya Kablukov, a forward for Avangard, made history by participating in his 16th playoff series, marking a significant milestone in KHL history. At 37 years old, he has outpaced other notable players like Vasily Koshechkin and Evgeny Biryukov, who have each participated in 15 playoff seasons. Kablukov's experience could be invaluable as Avangard faces Metallurg in their opening match.
The playoff format this season will see the top teams from each conference competing in a best-of-seven series, with the first team to achieve four victories advancing to the next round. The matchups for the first round are as follows:
- Lokomotiv vs. Torpedo
- Dynamo (Moscow) vs. SKA
- Spartak vs. Severstal
- Dynamo (Minsk) vs. CSKA
- Traktor vs. Admiral
- Salavat Yulaev vs. Sibir
- Metallurg vs. Avangard
- Avtomobilist vs. AK Bars
Each of these matchups promises to deliver intense competition, with teams battling for the prestigious Gagarin Cup. Notably, the tournament will conclude by May 25, 2025.
As the playoffs approach, fans are eager to witness the excitement and drama that the KHL playoffs bring. The Gagarin Cup, named after the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, is crafted from 925 silver and gold-plated, featuring engravings of Gagarin in a spacesuit and a flying comet on one side and a hockey player on the other. The cup is adorned with pucks engraved with the names of the champion teams around its circumference. The first team to claim this trophy was AK Bars, who triumphed over Lokomotiv in the finals on April 12, 2009, coinciding with Cosmonautics Day.
In addition to the playoff battles, a promotional event is currently underway involving 14 participating teams: Moscow Dynamo, Lokomotiv, Spartak, CSKA, Severstal, SKA, Torpedo, Traktor, Metallurg, Avtomobilist, AK Bars, Avangard, Admiral, and Sibir. Fans can purchase tickets through the teams’ websites, mobile apps, and online services such as Kassir.ru and Yandex Afisha. To take advantage of cashback offers, fans must register in the loyalty program on vamprivet.ru prior to purchasing tickets and opt for payment via SBP. The cashback will be credited back to their bank accounts within a minute, with a maximum limit of 1,000 rubles for the duration of the promotion.
As the KHL enters this exciting playoff season, anticipation builds among fans and players alike. With the stakes higher than ever, every game promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent, strategy, and determination. Who will emerge victorious and lift the Gagarin Cup? Only time will tell.
