In a thrilling playoff encounter, SKA faced off against Dynamo Moscow in the fourth match of the first round of the KHL playoffs, ultimately falling short with a score of 4-5. The game, which took place on April 3, 2025, saw SKA's hopes dashed when a crucial goal in overtime was disallowed by the referees after a video review. The decision came as players from the St. Petersburg team were found to have interfered with Dynamo's goalkeeper, leading to a tense atmosphere as the match unfolded.
Evgeni Artukhin, a former forward for SKA, weighed in on the controversial call, stating, "The judges made the right decision when they disallowed the goal. They explained it clearly, and the video showed everything. Maybe the SKA players celebrated too soon, but they had to refocus and continue playing." Artukhin noted that the disallowed goal might have been a turning point in the game, adding, "It was a stressful moment for the players. They showed great character and courage by making two comebacks during the match, which is commendable."
The stakes were high as SKA aimed to reduce Dynamo's lead in the series, which now stands at 3-1 in favor of the Moscow team. The fifth match is set to take place in Moscow on April 4, 2025, where SKA will be fighting for their playoff lives. Fans can catch the action live on Match TV starting at 18:55.
In another exciting series, Traktor, the top team from the regular season in the Eastern Conference, found themselves in a challenging position against Admiral. Despite their strong regular season performance, Traktor has had to battle back from behind in two of the matches in this series, which is currently tied at 2-2. The recent match saw Admiral take an early lead, but Traktor's resilience shone through as they look to gain the upper hand in the upcoming games.
The upcoming match will be significant for Admiral as they prepare to play their 700th KHL match. They hope to regain the series lead before returning to Vladivostok for a potential sixth game. Last season, Admiral surprised many by eliminating Salavat Yulaev, a team that was favored to advance, and they are eager to replicate that success this year.
Key players are stepping up in the playoffs, with Alexander Kadeikin from Traktor on a personal scoring streak of seven matches, contributing 2 goals and 5 assists. Maxim Shabanov has also been impressive, ranking among the top scorers and assistants in the current playoff series with 2 goals and 5 assists in four games. Defensively, Grigory Dronov and Steven Kampfer are making their mark, both among the top five scorers among defensemen.
As the series continues, the focus will also be on individual milestones. Nikita Korostelev will be making his 300th appearance in the KHL, while Dmitry Zavgorodny and Artyom Chmykhov are set to reach their 200th games. Meanwhile, Traktor's Artyom Blazhievsky is on a three-game goal streak, marking him as one of the best snipers in the postseason.
In the midst of these intense matchups, the rivalry between Dynamo and SKA remains fierce. Alexei Tereshchenko, a notable figure in the hockey community, expressed confidence in Dynamo's ability to advance past SKA, citing that the Petersburg team has not shown significant improvement compared to their regular season performance. Tereshchenko stated, "Dynamo should beat SKA and reach the semi-finals. The problems with their game have remained the same." Both teams reached the quarter-finals of the Gagarin Cup last season, but only one can advance this time around.
The upcoming matches promise to deliver high-stakes drama as teams vie for a spot in the next round of the playoffs. With the series heating up and players pushing their limits, fans can expect nothing less than thrilling hockey as the KHL playoffs progress. Will SKA manage to turn the tide in their favor, or will Dynamo seal their advancement? And can Traktor find a way to capitalize on their momentum against Admiral? The answers will unfold in the coming days, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
