Second games were played in the last sixteen of the Russian hockey play-offs Monday. There indeed haven’t been any surprises and all the ties are now 2-0 in the best of five series.

One of the favourites Mettallurg Magnitogorsk are just one victory away from qualifying for the last eight of the play-offs following a comprehensive 5-2 win over MVD. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl went two up in their series against Dynamo Moscow. Elsewhere, Avanguard Omsk are also a game away from the quarters after thrashing Vityaz 5-0. Novisobirsk and Salavat Yulaev have also won. Current champions Ak Bars thrashed Mettalurg Novokuznetsk while CSKA Moscow beat Lada Togliatti 5:4 also to go two up in their series before the teams head away from Moscow. And finally Khimik destroyed Severstal 4-0.