On March 17, 2025, the KHL playoff picture solidified as HC Sibir Novosibirsk faced off against Barys Nur-Sultan, culminating in pivotal moments for both teams. Sibir secured its playoff position with a decisive victory, overcoming Barys with a final score of 4-2, advancing them to the elite eight of the Eastern Conference.
The game began with early tension as Barys struck first. Kairzhan found the back of the net just six minutes in, giving the Kazakh team the lead. Sibir, undeterred, responded quickly. Endroff scored at 15 minutes, tying the game during the first period. Just moments later, Gogolev put Sibir ahead at the 16-minute mark. Korotkov extended the lead to 3-1 by the 18th minute, effectively putting pressure on the visiting team.
Despite the shaky start, Barys made attempts to claw back, with Orazov scoring their second goal at 39 minutes, but it was not enough. Maxim Sushko, the Belarusian forward for Sibir, played as part of the third line but couldn't contribute to the score sheet.
With this win, Sibir climbed to seventh place with 66 points, confirming their participation in the upcoming playoffs. The Eastern Conference playoff rankings now feature Sibir along with other confirmed teams: Traktor, Metallurg, Salavat Yulaev, Avtomobilist, Ak Bars, Avangard, and Admiral.
Barys, struggling this season, remains at the bottom of the standings with just 35 points, making their playoff aspirations nearly unattainable with their recent performances. Historically, Barys and Sibir have shared a competitive rivalry, with Barys winning three out of their previous five head-to-head meetings. Sibir’s victory today was particularly significant considering their poor showing against Barys earlier this year, where Sibir lost both encounters with a combined score of 4-8.
Looking toward the future, analysts had predicted Sibir's potential victory based on current form. Earlier this week, they had shown resilience, winning their last two matches against Amur and Torpedo by scores of 4-2 and 3-2, respectively. Barys, on the other hand, faced difficulties, with only two wins in their last five games, including their recent loss against Amur, where they succumbed 2-5.
Renowned hockey analyst Anatoly Emelin had assessed the matchup prior to the game, stating, "While Sibir is the favorite, fans shouldn't expect fireworks or too many goals. The maximum we should anticipate is five goals from both teams. Sibir must secure points at home against the league's weakest team." His prediction was seen as conservative, reflecting Sibir’s inconsistent performance throughout the season.
Many fans and analysts had eagerly awaited how Sibir would perform under the pressure of maintaining their playoff spot against Barys. The stakes were high, especially after Neftekhimik’s unfortunate loss earlier this week, allowing Sibir to control more of their destiny.
With the Eastern Conference postseason looming, Sibir aims to build upon this momentum. They are set to face more formidable opponents, and the battle-tested team will need to improve their scoring if they hope to advance past the first round of playoffs.
Looking across the league, the playoff picture is becoming clearer. The Western Conference will also see competitive teams battling for the coveted Gagarin Cup, including Dynamo Moscow, Lokomotiv, and CSKA, as they begin to solidify their own postseason strategies.
Fans of both Sibir and Barys now look forward to the remaining games of the regular season, knowing the stakes will only get higher. For Sibir, today’s win was just one step on their road to the playoffs. For Barys, it’s another sobering reminder of the urgency needed to rebuild for next season.
