Both Färjestad Karlstad and Red Bull Munich have qualified for the Champions Hockey League Playoffs, and just a single point separates them. Five Game Days would see the team from Karlstad falter just once against ERC Ingolstadt, otherwise winning all their remaining games, to post a Regular Season tally of 11 points. 

In contrast, Red Bull Munich have been slightly less dominant, suffering defeats at the hands of Czech side Vítkovice Ridera, and more recently in their last game against Lukko Rauma, where they outshot their Finnish rivals 20-11. However, three wins in regular time and a loss in the shootout was enough to secure 10 vital points.  

Michael Lindqvist, David Tomášek and Carl Dahlström have been consistent performers for Färjestad potting five points over five games. Duties between the pipes have been split by Canadian Maxime Lagacé and Carl Lindbom. 20-year-old Lindbom, who ranks ninth among goaltenders, has given up three goals in two games to achieve a save percentage of 93.62%, while Lagacé has allowed six goals in three games for 89.29%. 

Numbers-wise, Färjestad have been gunning big on several important statistics: they’re winning an average of 57.91% of faceoffs, scoring over four goals on average per game, they’re one of the best teams at capping goals against, and their goal difference at +13 is one of the best in the league!

Despite their recent loss, Munich remain dangerous contenders and boast firepower of their own. With 9 points under his belt, defenceman Jonathon Blum is in exceptional form. The blueliner leads the CHL for assists, points overall and shares a +7 plus/minus ranking with Växjö’s Gabriel Carlsson, as well as (the aforementioned) Lindqvist and Tomášek. Netminder Mathias Niederberger has conceded eight goals over four games, to post a save average of 90.12%, and he currently ranks 25th among goalkeepers. 

The last time Färjestad Karlstad and Red Bull Munich faced off was during the 2019/20 season where they split games with a win each in regulation, although only Munich would go on to reach the Quarter-Finals. 

Given their last game was an emotionally charged battle which saw the German side squander valuable points on account of ill-timed penalties, Munich will be looking for more discipline, as they fine-tune their form leading upto the Playoffs. Expect a riveting game as these two heavyweights lock horns on Game Day 6 at the Löfbergs Arena.