Goaltender Ilya Nabokov of Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Defenseman Mikhail Gulyayev of Avangard Omsk have advanced past the first round of the KHL playoffs and might be set to face each other in the second round.

In five games, Gulyayev recorded two assists while being a plus-five as they took down Neftekhimik. His two points are tied for second most points for defensemen, but he led in plus/minus while averaging just over 14 minutes of ice time per game.

Nabokov only saw one game in their series against Sibir Novosibirsk Region, and in that game, the team lost 1-0 in overtime. Though in that one game he finished with 31 saves, a .969 Sv%, and a 0.86 GAA. He only played because the starter for the game and the majority of the season, Alexander S. Smolin, was called for spearing, given a game misconduct, and booted from the game.

Both had down seasons compared to last season, but with Nabokov on loan with his ELC signed and Gulyayev's contract up this summer, we could see both Russians with the team next spring as the training and development camp starts for the 2026-27 season.