It’s going to be a big Game Day 5 in this season’s Champions Hockey League. With only two games to go for all of the 32 teams taking part, there’s still all to play for in various ways.
Here are five things we think you should look out for:
1. Get your calculators ready!
It could get quite complicated, if teams are level on points, with tie-breaking procedures; also knowing what teams need to do to make sure they’re in the Round of 16. We’ve summarised the state of play for you here.
2. Czech invasion
Some 500 fans of Mountfield HK will be in Graz on Tuesday night, travelling by train from Hradec Kralové to the Styrian capital.
Another quirk of the game is actually that both places are called ‘Hradec’ in Czech!
3. Northern battle
Two teams from way up north might be quite a long ride for most teams visiting – but Skellefteå AIK and Kärpät Oulu have quite a short journey to each other. It's just 215 kilometers, as the crow flies, across the Gulf of Bothina from one to the other, although by road just shy of 400km. Both have history in the CHL – Skellefteå have been as far as the Semi-Finals, while the 2016 Final was hosted in Oulu.
4. All 3 Austrian teams still alive
KAC Klagenfurt may not play until Wednesday, but they could be the first team from the EBEL into this season’s playoffs – any combination of results that has them still four points ahead of Tappara will do it. Graz and Vienna however both need to win, otherwise they run the risk of being eliminated.
5. Devils defend top spot at home of defending champions
When you’re sitting on top of your group, everyone is looking to knock you off – and for Cardiff the challenge couldn’t be greater with their trip to the home of the defending champions Frölunda Indians. A regulation win would see the Welsh team through; however a loss, coupled with Mountfield also winning, could see them drop to third.