HC Dinamo Minsk to open Gagarin Cup playoffs against HC CSKA

One of the most intriguing lineups of the Gagarin Cup playoffs has been confirmed in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). HC Dinamo Minsk will face HC CSKA Moscow on home ice thanks to the successful performance in the regular season.

HC Dinamo Minsk finished the 2024/25 regular season in the top four in the Western Conference with 86 points in 68 games. This is the Belarusian club’s career-best result: for the first time in their history, the Bisons will kick off the playoffs at the Minsk Arena. The 6-2 victory over HC Sochi secured the home ice advantage for Minsk in the playoff first round.

HC CSKA Moscow is one of the championship’s favorites, despite an unstable end to the regular season. Despite the fact that HC CSKA Moscow lost their previous three games, they remain a formidable opponent.

The schedule of the series is as follows: the first two games will be played in Minsk on 26 and 28 March, then the teams will move to Moscow for games on 30 March and 1 April. Additional games will be held on 3 April in Minsk, on 5 April in Moscow and on 7 April in Minsk (if necessary).

Dinamo Minsk’s fans are looking forward to the playoffs. Ticket sales for home games started on 14 March, and the interest in the games is huge.

This is a chance for the Minsk club to rewrite history: the Bisons have never advanced past the first round of the Gagarin Cup. Will they be able to do it in 2025, starting the series in their home arena? We'll see it starting from 26 March.

Press service of the NOC of Belarus
Photos by the NOC of Belarus