The best team in the KHL’s Eastern Conference has done it. Metallurg Magnitogorsk has climbed to the top of the mountain. For the third time in their history and the last decade, they are Yuri Gagarin Cup champions.

The finals concluded in a sweep, but Metallurg’s matchup with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl was by no means not competitive. In what can only be described as “on-brand” for a league which is notoriously difficult to score in, all four games were decided by one goal by way of three games with a 2-1 scoreline (including one settled in OT) and one 1-0. The goaltending and defense definitely showed up for both teams, but one ultimately ended up getting the job done in four matchups that perhaps could have gone either way.

To provide a summary of the last two games, there was, as to be expected, plenty of excitement in the overtime settled Game 3. It appeared as though Lokomotiv had gotten on the board first. However, the goal was called back upon review, and the scoring would not open until a few minutes into the second period, with F Dmitry Silantyev delivering the finish for Metallurg on assists by C Denis Zernov and RW Roman Kantserov (Chicago Blackhawks). Lokomotiv C Georgi Ivanov would tie it up very quickly into the third period (just seconds after a power play ended and after Nabokov made a number of impressive saves without his stick) and the remaining regulation time brought no resolution. A few minutes into OT, one of the most mindblowing endings to a championship game you will ever see occurred, as Metallurg C/W appeared to dump the puck in, but it struck the end boards with enough velocity and power to go off of Lokomotiv G Daniil Isayev and into the net. This gave Metallurg, in very curious fashion, a commanding 3-0 lead. This ultimately was another great goaltending showing with Isayev stopping 25 of 27 for a .927 SV% and Metallurg G saving 32 of 33 for a .970 SV%.

Game 4 was much of the same, with a 2-1 scoreline yet again. The beneficiaries of uptempo play, Lokomotiv struck first with LW Yaroslav Likhachyov opening the proceedings 8:33 into the first. Metallurg would eventually manufacture a response, as Denis Zernov got in close to do what he had done all postseason by tallying his league leading 12th goal of the playoffs, which was upheld after a coach’s challenge by Lokomotiv for potential goaltender interference. Ultimately, the game – and series – was resolved when Metallurg LW Daniil Vovchenko’s impressive release would beat Isayev on the power play with 8:50 left in regulation. Nabokov would end the series clincher with 27 saves on 28 shots for a .964 SV%.

On the topic of Nabokov, the accolades continue to pour in for him. Upon the conclusion of this matchup, he was named Gagarin Cup Playoffs MVP, making him the youngest in history. I would wager that he has a persuasive case to be the highest selected goaltender in the coming NHL Entry Draft at this point. He certainly is on a phenomenal course and has proven himself on his country’s biggest stage for ice hockey.

The case of Danila Yurov is curious. He was quiet in this low-scoring series, not registering a single point, and generally having a modest postseason with only 9 points to his name after leading the team’s offense in the regular season. However, as pointed out by Hockey News Hub, he did lead the postseason in pass interceptions. The young blue chip prospect is generally a very responsible player already. The Minnesota Wild and their fans should be looking forward to what they are getting in the 24th overall pick from 2022, possibly as soon as next season.

Lastly, Roman Kantserov very much elevated his game under the brightest lights, nearly matching his point total from the regular season (13 in 22 games played vs. 15 points in 53 games played). He additionally had a much better +/-, going from a -2 to a +8. It seems the course of his D+1 year brought visible further steps when the stakes were highest. Perhaps Chicago will be getting a valuable addition to their forward group in the long run with him.

There was a strong veteran core on this team, make no mistake. However, one also has to be impressed by the contributions of their U23 players, as well. The future looks bright for all three of the big name current/soon-to-be NHL prospects on this Metallurg squad.