Following the recent conclusion of the regular season in the Continental Hockey League, the first pair of the 2024 Gagarin Cup playoffs has been determined and set for a dramatic kickoff. The outcome of the 4:2 victory by Spartak Moscow over Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the final regular-season fixture confirmed the Western Conference pairing for the opening round. Spartak, under Alexey Zhamnov, secured the fourth seed, while Lokomotiv’s finish set up a memorable clash against the capital side. In the regular-season standings, Severstal Cherepovets finished fifth in the Western Conference, landing a notable spot in the post-season lineup. This alignment guarantees a fierce series that fans have anticipated since the puck dropped in autumn, with both teams eager to prove their form on the biggest stage of the year. (Source: official league communications)
The opening game in the series is scheduled for February 29 and will take place at Megasport Arena in Moscow. The puck drop is planned for 19:30 Moscow time, a moment when fans across the country will tune in to witness the first chapter of what promises to be a tightly contested best-of-seven series. The second game is slated for March 2 with a 17:00 start, continuing the battle as the teams adjust to each other’s systems and tactics. (Source: league event calendar)
A historic change for the KHL is set to debut in the 2024 playoffs. The league will implement a pass system, meaning that after the first round, teams competing in the Western Conference will face opponents from the Eastern Conference in the subsequent rounds. This format aims to refresh rivalries, heighten travel dynamics, and introduce new strategic challenges as clubs adapt to a broader post-season landscape. (Source: league competition rules)
CSKA Moscow remains the defending champion, having captured the Gagarin Cup on its 100th anniversary. On April 29, 2023, CSKA secured the seventh win in the final series against Ak Bars Kazan to lift the trophy for the seventh time in club history, underscoring the club’s enduring dominance in Russian and international ice hockey. The victory marked a milestone that continues to influence the competitive narrative surrounding the 2024 playoffs. (Source: official team history records)
The season also highlights some standout goaltenders who have delivered exceptional performances across the league. As the 2024 campaign advances, observers are tracking the top performers in net, evaluating consistency, clutch shutouts, and the ability to influence a team’s playoff push. These performances will be a major factor in postseason predictions and team-building discussions, with scouts and analysts frequently citing goaltending as a critical determinant of playoff success. (Source: season statistics compilations)