Preview: Dinamo Minsk at Metallurg Magnitogorsk

MAGNITOGORSK, Russia (Interstat) — The Kontinental Hockey League’s top team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, hosts a struggling Dinamo Minsk side on Saturday at Arena Metallurg in a clash of starkly contrasting form.

Metallurg (38-11-0) enters as the league’s powerhouse, boasting an 8-2-0 record in its last 10 games. Its most recent result was a 3-2 victory over Traktor Chelyabinsk on Tuesday. Forward Nikita Mikhailis, a key offensive catalyst, scored a goal in that win and has recorded four points (3 goals, 1 assist) in his last five contests.

Dinamo Minsk (27-19-0) looks to halt a skid, having lost three of its last four, including a 4-1 defeat at Sibir Novosibirsk on Thursday. The Belarusian club’s defense, allowing 4.25 goals per game over that four-game stretch, will be severely tested by Metallurg’s deep attack.

A player to watch for the visitors is defenseman Darren Dietz, who scored the lone goal in Thursday’s loss and leads Dinamo skaters with five shots on goal in that game. His physical presence (11 hits in his last five games) will be needed against a relentless Metallurg forecheck.

The home team has dominated recent play at Arena Metallurg, outscoring opponents 32-9 over a five-game home winning streak. Goaltender Ilya D. Nabokov, who made 24 saves in Tuesday’s win, is expected to start.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Metallurg is projected for a decisive 7-2 victory. The teams will not meet again in the regular season after Saturday’s contest.

For Dinamo, the game begins a crucial road stretch before hosting SKA Saint Petersburg on Feb. 3. Metallurg hits the road for its next contest, at Lada Togliatti on Feb. 3.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM local time (0900 ET).