[Oct 18, 2026 (Sun)] KHL Analysis Ak Bars @ Dinamo Mn Preview - BeaverStats

This is an KHL analysis post written by AI.

Quick preview of Ak Bars @ Dinamo Mn (Oct 18, 2026 (Sun)).

*Written before starting goalies and lineups were confirmed! They can change right before puck drop, so check the link below for the latest data.

You can see the full, more detailed data on the game list.

This post was analyzed/written by AI based on data from beaverstats.com. Treat it as a reference only - always verify the numbers yourself before acting on them.

Ak Bars @ Dinamo Mn

Ak Bars projected starting goalie: Timur Bilyalov @ Dinamo Mn projected starting goalie: Zach Fucale

Even at 5v5, this one turns on goaltending and special teams.

The 5v5 xG% is 51.6 for the Ak Bars and 51.2 for Dinamo Mn this season. Ak Bars are 8-7-1 with goals 37-37 (5v5: 20-26). Dinamo Mn are 6-5-5 with goals 43-51 (5v5: 22-21). Dinamo's power play is 34.0% against Ak Bars' 84.8% penalty kill, while Ak Bars' 14.0% power play faces a 72.5% kill.

Both projected goalies are slumping. Bilyalov has a .921 SV% and -0.8 GSAx in 28 road games, but his last five GSAx is -5.1 and he allowed four last time. Fucale is 14-7 at home, yet his -6.6 GSAx there says the team made most of those wins. This season he has a .881 SV% and -4.7 GSAx, with -4.6 over his last five.

Ak Bars won 3-2 in overtime at Shanghai and have one straight win. Dinamo Mn lost 3-1 to Magnitogorsk and have one straight loss.

Neither starter is confirmed. If Arefyev starts, Ak Bars get a .899 SV% and -3.0 GSAx over four starts. If Demchenko starts, Dinamo Mn get -0.4 GSAx this season and +3.3 at home.

In summary, with 5v5 this close, the goalie decision and special teams are the key. Whether Fucale and Bilyalov can break their recent slumps will decide a lot.