HC Dinamo Minsk - SKA Saint Petersburg predictions and free betting tips [04/10/2023]

Continental Hockey League regular tournament 2023/2024. This match invariably takes place in Minsk, where Dynamo plays, and this Wednesday, Dynamo will host SKA from St. Petersburg.

Dinamo Minsk

Interestingly, Dinamo Minsk currently occupies the 10th spot in the standings, not because of their miserable condition, but because they're neighbours with St. Petersburg's SKA - their upcoming opponents. After 12 matches, Dmitry Vyacheslavovich's team has achieved 12 points from four regular time victories, one victory beyond regular time, two overtime losses, and five straight losses. With a positive goal difference of three, Dinamo has scored 36 goals - not the worst tally in the West. However, they have also conceded 33, which doesn't make for the best statistic. Dinamo can still make the playoffs in theory, but the results have been inconsistent, with a victory-loss pattern in their home games.

SKA St. Petersburg

SKA's season starting has been well-publicised. The massive squad restructuring, multiple contract renewals, and offloading undesired players to Lada have resulted in a vastly different SKA this season. After 12 matches, they've garnered 12 points from six victories and six losses, all in regular time. Their games have been a series of wins and losses - starting with two victories, then suffering five straight defeats, followed by four wins, and a recent loss. The main problem for Roman Rottenberg's team might be the low scoring rate, a total of 29 goals, despite a healthy goal difference of six and being the second least conceding team, with only 23 goals conceded.

Head-to-Head

Dynamo Minsk and SKA have faced each other 48 times. SKA has a clear upper hand with 36 victories over Dynamo's 12. The last time the two teams met was in last season's playoffs, where SKA emerged stronger with a 4:2 victory in the series.

Prediction

Interestingly, Pinnacle  is only offering odds of 2.10 on an SKA win. This would have been unthinkable before the season started, but it's the reality now. Dinamo's win, on the other hand, stands at 3.10. Despite the slip-up in Sochi, I'd still back SKA to win in a match. They're up against Dinamo next, and they need to come out victorious.