Hc Dynamo Moscow - HC Dinamo Minsk predictions and free betting tips [02/03/2024]

We're looking at the Continental Hockey League playoffs here. The Gagarin Cup 2024. First round. Western Conference. The series score stands at a 0:0. A rescheduled match from the even-numbered playoff days, the last series to start in this playoff and it's a pure derby of teams that belong to the internal law enforcement agencies, first versus eighth in the conference. Dynamo Moscow will host Dynamo Minsk.

Dynamo Moscow 

Holder of the Kontinental Cup and that says it all, there's nothing to add to such an obvious event. Dynamo finished the season beautifully, barely losing any matches. Just to illustrate, it last lost on the fourth of February, practically a month ago. The Muscovites are coming into this series in prime form and are definitely the favourites, seeing as they clinched not just the conference, but the top spot in the whole league.

The only thing that's uncertain is how Dynamo will play. This season, we've seen them both park the bus in front of their net, denying the opposition any chances, and also instigate incredible shootouts with their opponents, falling just short of setting the KHL scoring record. It will be particularly interesting to see Alexei Kudashov's team in these playoffs, especially after their early exit last season.

Dynamo Minsk

Dmitri Kvartalnov's team managed to make the playoffs, their season-long problems notwithstanding. If anything, they should thank Dynamo's rivals. Things were so bad for them that Dynamo Minsk breezed into the playoffs more than a week before the end of the regular championship, calmly playing out the season and preparing for the playoffs.

As for what Dmitri Kvartalnov is bringing into the playoffs, there's nothing special to speak of. Minsk's Dynamo is one of the blandest teams in the West, hardly worth a mention, a low-scoring outfit with middling defensive record. It's kept out of the headlines, there are no scandals or special events, and it gives the impression of a team that will play four or five matches in the 2024 Gagarin Cup playoffs before packing up for a holiday.

Head-to-head

Dynamo Moscow and Dynamo Minsk have played each other 43 times, with the Moscow outfit winning 32 of those matches, while their Minsk counterparts managed 11 victories. This season, all matches went Moscow's way with two 4:1 wins and two 2:1 wins.

Prediction

Obviously, the bet here has to be on the Moscow team - frankly, I can't see how they could lose this matchup. The only fear is that they might win outside regular time.

Total prediction

If we're looking at totals, my suggestion is to take ITO1 (3.5) at 2.32. Twice this season, Dynamo Moscow have managed to hit this total in matches against their Minsk counterparts. Why not go for it once again.