The Nizhnekamsk team watched their playoff hopes fade after Neftekhimik dropped a 1-2 result in the Dinamo Minsk clash, sealing Amur Khabarovsk’s fate as the last squad to enter the Gagarin Cup play-offs. It marked a notable milestone for Amur, a club that finally reached the post-season for the first time in six years, a testament to their perseverance and steady development under their current coaching and roster setup.
Looking back at the 2017/18 campaign, Khabarovsk faced a tough 1/8 final matchup against Ak Bars Kazan, a series that underscored the challenging path to the playoffs for teams from the Far East. The season’s dynamic saw Amur posting consistent performances across the schedule, even as the playoff picture began to crystallize late in the year.
After completing 65 games, Amur sat in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with 70 points. The late-season push by Neftekhimik fell just short, failing to surpass the Far East squad and leaving Amur with a secure playoff berth that reflected their ability to rack up points in important moments. The race illustrated how narrow the margins can be in a tightly contested conference and how a handful of late results can alter the postseason landscape for multiple clubs.
From the East, the playoff field was already taking shape. Avangard, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Ak Bars Kazan, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg, Traktor Chelyabinsk, and Lada Togliatti had all earned their spots, signaling a deep and competitive conference that pushed every team to maximize performance in every game. The level of competition highlighted the strength of the eastern division and the depth across the league as the season neared its end.
The CSKA Moscow team stood tall as the current Gagarin Cup champion, showcasing a blend of veteran leadership and young talent. On the centennial anniversary of its founding, April 29, 2023, CSKA claimed the seventh game of the final series against Ak Bars Kazan to lift the cup. The victory underscored CSKA’s continued status as a dominant force in Russian hockey, reflecting a robust program, strong development system, and the capacity to perform under pressure when it matters most.
Previously, this season’s leadership in the regular run was recognized with the best coach award, acknowledging the strategic acumen behind the club’s consistent performance. The broader implications of these achievements for the league include heightened fan engagement, stronger international interest, and a clear demonstration of how managed talent and tactical innovation translate into sustained success on the ice. The season’s narrative also emphasized that playoff qualification remains a dynamic target, influenced by late-season form, injury management, and the ability to convert opportunities into wins during critical stretches.
In summary, the eastern conference delivered a compelling mix of resilience and competitive balance. Amur’s playoff appearance signaled a turning point for the club and offered a glimpse into what a sustained push could yield in future seasons. The overall arc of the season reinforced the idea that success in the Gagarin Cup is the result of consistent effort, strategic planning, and the ability to seize momentum at the right moments, even in a league known for its demanding schedule and intense rivalry—an ongoing story that fans and analysts will continue to watch closely in the years ahead.