Play-offs preview

Skysports.com takes a game-by-game look at the play-off shake-up

By Joe Drabble   Last updated: 25th March 2009  

Play-offs preview

Eight EIHL teams prepare to battle it out in the play-offs

Watch coverage of the Elite League play-offs on Sky Sports 3 & HD 3 and on Sky Sports Xtra from April 4-13

After a gruelling season of blood, sweat and tears, eight Elite League clubs must now pick themselves up and prepare for one last charge towards silverware.

Sheffield Steelers clinched their first Elite League title since 2004 this season, with Coventry Blaze and Nottingham Panthers both 11 points behind in second and third respectively.

Steve Thornton's Belfast Giants finished a clear fourth and may be an outside bet for some more silverware having already tasted success in the Challenge Cup with a thrilling final win over Manchester Phoenix.

In-form Cardiff Devils finished 11 points back in fifth - five points ahead of both Challenge and Knock-out Cup finalists Phoenix.

Newcastle Vipers overcame a late-season wobble to cement seventh-place, while Doug Christiansen's Edinburgh produced a storming end to the season to hold off Hull Stingrays and claim eighth.

So, after 54 league matches, the following games have been decided:

Steelers (1) v Capitals (8) - 1st leg March 27, 2nd leg March 29

Blaze (2) v Vipers (7) - 1st leg March 28, 2nd leg March 29

Panthers (3) v Phoenix (6) - 1st leg March 28, 2nd leg March 29

Giants (4) v Devils (5) - 1st leg March 28, 2nd leg March 29

The aggregate score (with overtime and penalty shots if required) of these ties will decide the four semi-finalists and they will skate on to the ice at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham on the weekend of 4th/5th April for two semi-finals on the Saturday, with the final the next day.

Sheffield v Edinburgh

After meeting seven times this season, six league contests and one Challenge Cup showdown - Steelers have come out on top on six occasions and are expected to do so again here.

However, after winning six of their last seven matches, Caps will be ready to pounce should the Elite League champions be off their game.

Skysports.com prediction - Sheffield Steelers

Coventry v Newcastle

Blaze have dominated meetings between these two this season - winning the first five of six matches between the two, including all three in the Skydome.

Vipers' only win came in the last meeting between the sides, however Paul Thompson's men should come through this two-legger unscathed.

Skysports.com prediction - Coventry Blaze

Nottingham v Manchester

This looks the pick of the play-off matches on paper with free-scoring Phoenix taking on Nottingham Panthers for a place in the Final Weekend.

Nottingham have won four of the six matches between the sides, although each team has won on the road in this series. Panthers may be favourites, but with messrs Beauregard, Fulghum and Hand on show, the north west outfit cannot be disregarded.

Skysports.com prediction - Nottingham Panthers

Belfast v Cardiff

Another titanic play-off encounter sees the Welsh and Northern Irish capitals do battle in another tough match to call.

Devils take to the ice in great form having won their last six matches, including a stunning 6-3 road success at Sheffield. Giants, however, have won an impressive six of the eight matches between the sides while Devils can only claim a single win with the other game tied.

Skysports.com prediction - Cardiff Devils

Do you agree or disagree with Joe's predictions? Feel free to have your say on the form below...

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Comments (1)

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Gareth Dutton says...

I agree with Joe's prediction on the Manchester Phoenix game and i'm a Phoenix fan. We never do well against them (Panthers), since we became Manchester Phoenix from Manchester Storm!

Posted 15:09 26th March 2009
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