PLAY-OFFS: State of play as D-Day looms

The games are running out and with the regular season now coming down to the final two weekends, there is plenty that can still happen for the teams involved, including Aspray Glasgow West sponsored Glasgow Clan.

Four spots have been booked already with newly crowned Sheffield Steelers punching their ticket along with Cardiff Devils, Belfast Giants and Manchester Storm.

Guildford Flames are nestled nicely in fifth place and with 54 points, will look to have their place assured with a win against Fife Flyers on Saturday.

So, what of the remaining five teams?  Just two points split sixth place and ninth, with Nottingham Panthers four points further afield bringing up the rear.

Let’s see what’s left for each team in the next couple of weeks:

GLASGOW CLAN (Current position – 7th; 47 points)

It will be a tough final few games for the Clan as they attempt to break away from the pack to secure a top eight berth.

Just two home games remain and three road trips make up the final route to the quarter finals and some big performances are needed.

After Friday’s home game against Dundee, the three away games follow consecutively, which could prove to be defining.

REMAINING FIXTURES: Fri 29/03 vs Dundee Stars (h); Sat 30/03 vs Belfast Giants (a); Mon 01/04 vs Nottingham Panthers (a); Sat 06/04 vs Guildford Flames (a); Sun 07/04 vs Cardiff Devils (h)

FIFE FLYERS (Current position – 6th; 47 points)

Fife will be a game further on by the time Clan hit the ice on Friday and will either have given themselves some breathing space or will make everyone else nervous as Nottingham Panthers could be two points closer.

They are finding form at the right time with five wins from their last six and after finishing out of the play-off spots every season since 2018, they don’t want to miss out this time.

Four home games from their last five gives them an advantage, but that final weekend double header with Dundee Stars could be key.

REMAINING FIXTURES: Thu 28/03 vs Nottingham Panthers (h); Sat 30/03 vs Guildford Flames (h); Wed 03/04 vs Sheffield Steelers (h); Sat 06/04 vs Dundee Stars (a); Sun 07/04 vs Dundee Stars (h)

COVENTRY BLAZE (Current position – 8th; 47 points)

The Blaze are another team locked on 47 points who will also be watching other fixtures not involving them closely.

Two of their three away trips take place this weekend, when they travel to Nottingham and Guildford so could set the tone for the rest of their campaign.

With their form not the best right now (four losses in their last five), their away record is the better of the bottom five and could make a difference.

REMAINING FIXTURES: Sat 30/03 vs Nottingham Panthers (a); Sun 31/03 vs Guildford Flames (a); Wed 03/04 vs Manchester Storm (h); Sat 06/04 vs Cardiff Devils (a); Sun 07/04 vs Guildford Flames (h)

DUNDEE STARS (Current position – 9th; 45 points)

Just outside the top eight are Dundee Stars and their need for points to prevent them falling further behind is becoming urgent.

The Friday trip to Glasgow looks to be a key one in this play-off battle and they need form quickly to get them over that black line in the standings.

One win in their last eight isn’t great form, but with the offensive talent in their ranks, they’re more than capable of turning it around.

REMAINING FIXTURES: Fri 29/03 vs Glasgow Clan (a); Sat 30/03 vs Manchester Storm (h); Wed 03/04 vs Cardiff Devils (a); Sat 06/04 vs Fife Flyers (h); Sun 07/04 vs Fife Flyers (a)

NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS (Current position – 10th; 41 points)

Nottingham are a different case this season because of everything that’s happened to them, but just getting to the end of the campaign will be success in a way.

As it stands, they need a lot of things to go for them, including them winning their remaining games as well as favours from elsewhere to help them along.

To still be in it at this late stage when they looked at one point to be well and truly out of it is excellent going, but whether they make it or not, getting to the end of the season could be a bigger achievement than winning any trophy.

REMAINING FIXTURES: Thu 28/03 vs Fife Flyers (a); Sat 30/03 vs Coventry Blaze (h); Mon 01/04 vs Glasgow Clan (h); Sat 06/04 vs Manchester Storm (a); Sun 07/04 vs Manchester Storm (h)