Russian hockey coach Vladimir Plyushchev did not name a single playoff favorite in the Kontinental Hockey League, and teams from both conferences booked spots for the Gagarin Cup on an even footing. In a season marked by parity and deep talent, he noted that no clear favorite had emerged, signaling that the race to the trophy will hinge on every round, every night, and every little advantage teams can grab on the road to March and beyond.
Across the eight remaining contenders, Plyushchev warned that predicting any single result would be extremely challenging. He argued that the unpredictable nature of best of seven series makes it almost impossible to forecast winners with certainty. A hot goaltender, a timely power play, or a clutch goal in overtime can tilt a series in a heartbeat, and this variability keeps fans on edge. Players adapt quickly to pressure, and coaches adjust lines and tactics game by game. The schedule rotation matters, travel fatigue can bite, and the difference between home and away sheets can swing momentum. Thus, entering the playoffs, teams must comport themselves with discipline, pace, and depth. Plyushchev stressed that even minor injuries or a couple of bad bounces could decide a match between equal teams, making every shift crucial as teams push toward the Gagarin Cup.
On March 17, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl clinched a berth, sealing their place in the postseason and signaling a strong finish to the regular season. The club built steady momentum with crisp forechecks and disciplined defense, helping them lock in a favorable playoff position. The coach praised the organization for resilience and noted that securing a postseason run in a crowded field required consistency and timing. The moment underscored how the league’s schedule can shape outcomes, with teams racing to peak at the right moment and to stay ahead of rivals who refused to yield in the closing weeks.
Western Conference first round pairings will feature Lokomotiv Yaroslavl clashing with SKA St. Petersburg in a marquee matchup, Dynamo Moscow facing Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, Spartak Moscow meeting Severstal Cherepovets, and Dynamo Minsk drawing CSKA Moscow. Each pairing mirrors a mix of established playoff veterans and rising challengers, creating a bracket that tests both speed and structure, demands precision in transitions, and rewards teams that can execute under pressure. Travel, arena atmosphere, and back to back demands will challenge coaching staffs to keep players fresh while sustaining intensity through the best of seven, a sprint that can bend but rarely breaks under playoff fire.
Eastern Conference action centers on Traktor Chelyabinsk anchoring a strong forward unit, with Admiral Vladivostok, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, and Sibir Novosibirsk among the contenders. Magnitogorsk Metallurg faces Avangard Omsk in a match that pits a former champion against the reigning title holder, while Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg also faces a difficult first round in a region loaded with talent. The mix signals a broad East wide open to upsets and dramatic late-game twists as teams adapt to postseason pressure and test each other’s depth across forward lines and defensive pairings. The bracket promises tense, high-stakes hockey as teams chase a single goal and a long run toward the Gagarin Cup trophy.
Each playoff series is a best of seven, with four victories needed to advance. The opening rounds will be played in the cities shown above, and the Gagarin Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on March 26. The path to the trophy remains unpredictable, but the action is sure to captivate fans in North America and around the world as teams push through the early rounds toward the ultimate prize.