Dinamo vs Shanghai Dragons Prediction 24 January 2026
📣 Saturday's action wraps up with a clash between Dinamo Minsk and the Dragons. The visitors face the challenging task of reclaiming lost points to break into the top eight of the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the hosts aim to top the standings in the coming weeks. Can the Shanghai side put up a strong fight against Minsk for the fourth time this season? We'll find out soon enough.
Head-to-Head
Last season, the "Dragons" and the "Bisons" clashed four times, with the Belarusian team emerging victorious on three occasions. The former Kunlun secured their sole victory in Mytishchi, where they dominated the Minsk side with a 3-0 win. In the current regular season, the teams have met three times, and on each occasion, the Shanghai squad has managed to earn at least one point. Noteworthy performances came from Ryan Spooner and Nick Merkley, who collectively tallied five points over the three games. However, Ryan has since left the Chinese team, leaving fans in St. Petersburg and Mytishchi to pin their hopes solely on his 28-year-old counterpart.
Head-to-head statistics Dinamo - Shanghai Dragons
Dinamo Minsk Team Overview
Dynamo have stumbled twice in their last five games: against Lokomotiv (1-2) and Severstal (4-6). The Minsk side averages 3.51 goals per game, with an impressive 4.09 goals per match at home. Their defense is also solid, conceding just 1.78 goals on home ice, one of the best records in the league. However, a concerning trend has emerged as they've allowed at least two goals in recent games. These defensive lapses are linked to injuries of key defensemen Joshua Brook and Xavier Ouellet. Another blow for Minsk fans is the injury to winger Vadim Moroz, who hit his head on the ice against Yaroslavl and couldn't continue. This season, Vadim ranks as Dynamo's fifth top scorer.
Match Results: Dinamo Minsk
Shanghai Dragons Team Overview
The Shanghai Dragons are struggling to break their losing streak. Their latest defeat to Nizhny Novgorod's Torpedo (2-7) is a serious cause for concern. On average, the Dragons score just two goals per game while conceding a hefty 3.6. Despite these challenges, the team remains resilient, continuing to search for ways to improve their play. Their new head coach, Mitch Love, who has experience with Washington in the NHL, has stepped up to help find those solutions. Mitch has already held his first press conference and met with the players-fans expect to see him on the bench this Saturday. Key players like Rybar and Harpur remain on the injury list for Shanghai. There's no doubt that Mitch Love will be eager to kick off this new chapter in his career with a win. His main tasks include strengthening the defense and revitalizing top forwards like Quinney and Labanc.
Match Results: Shanghai Dragons
🏒 Projected Lineups
Dynamo Minsk: Fucale - Meloche, Hamilton - Limoges, Pinchuk, Ennis
Shanghai Dragons: Kareyev - Clendening, Bischoff - S.Foo, Sutter, P.Foo
🥅 Goalkeepers
Zach Fucale has been a solid presence for Minsk this season. Over 31 games, Fucale has recorded five shutouts and boasts a goals-against average of 2.16. However, in recent matches, the Canadian has had some off nights, occasionally making way for his colleague Demchenko.
Until Rybar returns, we'll be keeping an eye on his counterpart Andrey Kareyev. Through 19 games, Kareyev has a less impressive goals-against average of 3.26. In his last outing against Torpedo, Andrey performed well, stopping 39 shots for the second consecutive game.
⭐ Editorial Prediction
Mitch Love will make his debut as head coach for the Shanghai team, and this should yield results. Twice named the best coach in the AHL, Love has also gained experience in the NHL. He knows how to build a solid defense, which is exactly what the visitors need right now. Considering the injuries to Dynamo's key defenders and the likely absence of Vadim Moroz, we suggest a bet on the Shanghai Dragons to win with a +2.5 handicap. This bet has been successful in all three head-to-head matchups between Shanghai and Minsk this season.No comments
Betting Tips: Dinamo Minsk - Shanghai Dragons
in 8 of last 9 home games (KHL).in last 7 away games (KHL).in last 5 games (KHL).in last 13 home games (KHL).in 8 of last 9 games (KHL).in last 7 away games (KHL).in 8 of last 9 home games (KHL).in last 8 away games (KHL).in 8 of last 9 home games (KHL).
Other predictions
