Dynamo Moscow First to Punch Playoff Ticket

Dynamo Moscow did not have to play today and they were still the first KHL club to clinch a playoff spot.  Atlant's loss to Torpedo made it impossible for the league's best team to be eliminated from the playoffs.  Atlant has 11 games remaining and the potential to earn 33 points, which would not be enough to knock out Dynamo if they lost their remaining eleven.

Atlant started strong, going up 2-0 against Torpedo after the first period.  Novgorod adjusted after the break and put up three unanswered goals of their own to take the lead.  Sakari Salminen and Jarkko Immonen would combine on the next two goals for Torpedo to go up 5-3 with seven minutes remaining in the game.  Igor Radulov scored on a last second penalty shot for Atlant, but it was too late to count toward a meaningful comeback attempt. 

The Eastern Conference leaders are next up to clinch playoff spots, with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Ak Bars Kazan and Barys Astana sitting in line.  SKA St. Petersburg is close as well, but still is three games away from making it official.

Metallurg Mg clinch today with a regulation win over Salavat Yulaev.

Tweets by @eurohockey