Quarterfinal positions: This SCB is perfect for the play-offs

In last-minute mode, Biel still made it to the play-offs. But the Zeelanders are threatened with Krösus ZSC Lions pulling out their ears. Simply because they allowed themselves to be shamed 0-4 in the semi-final series a year ago.

It smells like revenge. Biel is not better equipped than the ZSC in any area and is only equally positioned in the goalkeeper position. If the outsider wants to have a serious chance, he must attack the well-rested favorite with the good rhythm in his legs at the beginning of the series and then immediately follow up. So that in Zurich the wide box collapses and a bustle arises instead.

If this doesn’t work, Biel’s hops and malt will be wasted and their comeback skills will no longer be of any use.

Looking into the crystal ball: The ZSC does it in five matches and icon Beat Forster is retired in Zurich, of all places, where he once walked away from an existing contract.

Can Fribourg scare the Luganesi?

It is said that fear gives you wings. However, to do this you must first feel fear. The team from Ticino has already experienced a lot in the play-in round against their cantonal rivals, overcoming a real deficit and making up for the small disappointment at the end of qualifying (missing out on the top 6).

Competing against Fribourg from seventh places Lugano freed from the pressure of being favourites, but whatever expectations there are from their own camp are self-imposed. Fribourg can count on the lightheartedness that comes with a successful qualification. Ultimately, it’s time for coach Christian Dubé to hone his art with a long march through the playoffs.

The balance can help him: Friborg has five top 20 scorers in its ranks, Lugano has three. If Dubé comes close to controlling the Joly-Thürkauf-Carr line, Gottéron is done.

The Crystal Ball says: Friborg in six games.

The development of the HCD is not over yet

Head coach rookie Josh Holden’s expectations from the HCD fans were low, but the (fulfilled) goal of making it to the top 6 was high. The club was right to employ the Canadian-Swiss player when things didn’t go well at all in the first half of the season. The patience paid off and was rewarded with the first Spengler Cup victory since 2011.

The team has developed further in all areas and knows with confidence that this path is not over for us yet. Davos’ stabilized defense is prepared for Lausanne, which fires from all positions and depends on the quantity of shots. The HCD has acquired the efficiency to strike offensively when the opponent is vulnerable. Also because the balance between defensive conscience and offensive power is right. The fact that Sandro Aeschlimann, one of the most consistent goalkeepers, meets play-off virgin Connor Hughes, and that several characters at HCD know how to pull the play-off cart, makes Graubünden all the more dangerous.

The crystal ball shows: An HCD victory in the seventh game.

SCB is made for the play-offs

Only two points separated EVZ and SCB at the end of qualifying. But which Zug team is waiting for the Bernese? The one who spent much of the season fighting for qualifying victory, or the one who was completely out of character in the last ten games?

No one in Bern will be so stupid as to hastily write off champions of the caliber of Leonardo Genoni or Jan Kovar. But coach Jussi Tapola has transformed SCB into a team that seems made for the play-offs with his style. The Berners are well organized and play extremely straight. And in terms of robustness, the SCB has approached Marc Lüthi’s dream of playing again like the good old days of the “Big Bad Bears” with the signing of NHL veteran Patrik Nemeth.

Last year, Tapola eliminated EVZ and Tappara Tampere in the semi-finals on their way to victory in the Champions League. In order not to fall by the wayside again, the Zug team would have to reach the level of their championship seasons. Only with precision, speed and dynamics could Bern be brought to his feet.

Looking into the crystal ball: Bern is victorious in six games.