Kazan’s Ak Bars will host Dynamo Moscow in a highly anticipated KHL matchup. Both sides enter this game in search of vital points after recent inconsistencies. The hosts have finally snapped a long losing streak but remain far behind the Eastern Conference leader, while the visitors have stumbled for the first time in weeks, suffering two straight defeats.
Head-to-Head
The most memorable recent encounter between these clubs came in the 2025 Gagarin Cup playoffs, when they faced off in the second round. Dynamo Moscow triumphed in that series, winning 4–2. Interestingly, all games ended in regulation time, and both teams displayed strong offensive play—fewer than five goals were scored in only two of those matches.
Team Form Analysis
Ak Bars Kazan
After an impressive October, Anvar Gatiyatulin’s squad hit a rough patch in early November, losing three straight games and struggling to find rhythm. However, a 4–1 victory in Nizhnekamsk helped them get back on track and could signal a turning point.
Despite recent issues, Ak Bars remain one of the most defensively sound teams in the league, having conceded just 62 goals—the best record in the Eastern Conference. Their structure and discipline remain key strengths.
Dynamo Moscow
The “White-Blues” were enjoying a six-game winning streak until last week, when back-to-back losses halted their rise in the standings. The defeats have raised concerns about their offensive consistency. With just 71 goals scored, Dynamo trail every team above them in attacking output.
Head coach Alexei Kudashov will need to find a solution quickly if his team hopes to stay among the league’s top contenders.
Projected Lineups
Ak Bars Kazan: Bilyalov – Lyamkin, Miller – Barabanov, Semenov, Yashkin
Dynamo Moscow: Podyapolsky – Pylenkov, Gotovets – Gusev, Will, Sikura
Goaltending Battle
Timur Bilyalov (Ak Bars) has rediscovered his form after a brief slump, providing stability between the pipes. He holds a 92.1% save percentage and has registered two shutouts, reaffirming his reliability as one of the top goaltenders in the East.
Vladislav Podyapolsky (Dynamo) continues to be a standout performer in the league. The ex-Lada netminder boasts a 93.7% save percentage and a 1.74 goals-against average, ranking him among the KHL’s elite goalies. His consistency has been crucial to Dynamo’s success this season.
Editorial Prediction
When evaluating this matchup, recent scoring trends involving Dynamo Moscow stand out. Although the visitors are not the most prolific team offensively, they tend to participate in open, high-scoring games. Remarkably, at least five goals have been scored in 15 of Dynamo’s last 17 matches.
Given Ak Bars’ attacking potential and home advantage, this contest could easily follow a similar pattern.
Prediction: Bet on Total Over 4.5 Goals
