The 2020–21 KHL season was the 13th season of the Kontinental Hockey League. There were 23 teams that competed in 60 regular season games, beginning on 2 September 2020 and finishing on 27 February 2021.[1] The playoffs were held from 2 March, culminating in Game 6 of the Gagarin Cup Finals on 28 April. Avangard Omsk won their first Gagarin Cup title, avenging their sweep in the finals of the 2019 Gagarin Cup playoffs, defeating CSKA Moscow by 4 games to 2.[2]
With pre-season events returning to the schedule in August as a part of preparations to start the season, Jokerit, whose ability to stage games was governed by Finland's restrictions in response to the coronavirus pandemic, announced that it expected to play before a reduced audience at the Hartwall Arena during the first month of the campaign.[4]
Following Admiral Vladivostok's hiatus from the league, and to alleviate any potential issues with teams transiting during the COVID-19 pandemic, several conference and divisional changes were announced.[1]
Each team played 60 games: playing every other team home-and-away (44 games), 8–10 games against division rivals and 6–8 games against teams in the other division in their respective conference.[1]
Points were awarded for each game, where two points were awarded for all victories, regardless of whether it is in regulation time, in overtime or after game-winning shots. One point was awarded for losing in overtime or game-winning shots, and zero points for losing in regulation time. At the end of the regular season, the team that finished with the most points was crowned the Continental Cup winner.
Source: KHL Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) games won in regulation time; 3) games won in overtime; 4) games won in shootouts; 5) goal difference; 6) number of goals scored; 7) drawing of lots. (X) Won division; (Z) Won Continental Cup Notes:
^Teams leading a division hold one of the first two places of their conference.
Source: KHL Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) games won in regulation time; 3) games won in overtime; 4) games won in shootouts; 5) goal difference; 6) number of goals scored; 7) drawing of lots. (X) Won division; (Y) Won conference Notes:
^Teams leading a division hold one of the first two places of their conference.
Gagarin Cup playoffs
Ak Bars Kazan were the Eastern Conference regular season winners with 90 points. It was determined despite a 2–3 overtime loss at home to Spartak Moscow.[6]CSKA Moscow were the Western Conference regular season winners with 91 points. It was determined following a 1–3 defeat suffered by closest challengers SKA Saint Petersburg, at home to Dynamo Moscow, leaving CSKA Moscow with an unassailable points lead.[7] CSKA Moscow won the Continental Cup for the third season in succession and sixth time overall, defeating Ak Bars Kazan 1–0 on the final day of the regular season.[8]
The 2021 Gagarin Cup playoffs started on 2 March 2021, and finished on 28 April 2021.[9] The top eight teams from each of the conferences qualified for the playoffs.
The following players led the league in points, at the conclusion of the regular season.[10] If two or more skaters are tied (i.e. same number of points, goals and played games), all of the tied skaters are shown.
^""Ак Барс – «Спартак" – 2:3 ОТ" [Ak Bars - Spartak - 2:3 OT]. Ak Bars Kazan (in Russian). OOO SKP Tatneft - Ak Bars. 20 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021. «Ак Барс» по итогам 57 игр регулярки имеет 87 очков и досрочно обеспечил себе первое место в Восточной конференции. [Ak Bars has 87 points in 57 regular season games and secured first place in the Eastern Conference ahead of schedule.]
