Published 2024-04-26 14.30
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Rögle is looking for revenge in Ängelholm and ZSC Lions aim to score the match ball in Lausanne. However, my primary Powerplay focus is on the Stanley Cup playoffs and tonight’s internationals – where some really nice moves have been identified!
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I was expecting Rögle to loosen his grip on Le Mat on Thursday evening, but oh how wrong you can be. The pucks bounced right for Skellefteå and a slightly sloppy RBK were severely punished in the boiling barn. Despite this, I still lean towards the home side in the Catena Arena. SAIK has what seems to have continued in both Sikura and Puda’s absence.
However, the main features are found elsewhere. There seems to be plenty of play value to carve across the pond where the Islanders, Dallas and Florida look to be to my liking. Austria, which has brought in about a dozen players from Salzburg/Klagenfurt, should also have a good chance in the home match against Germany.
More about my thoughts:
The nail – Florida
The Panthers have the opportunity to sweep archrival Tampa Bay in the Battle of Florida. Gustav Forsling and his cats were clearly the better team in the two opening games at Amerant Bank Arena and on Friday night Florida managed to turn a deficit into victory at Amalie Arena. Unsurprisingly, top scorer Sam Reinhart, who sent in the tying puck to make it 2-2, was behind the turnaround. Florida has won all three regular-season meetings in Tampa this season, and I think the Panthers — who have an uncanny knack for finding ways to win — have a good chance of closing up shop on Saturday night. I nail up to 45 prolls!
The move – NY Islanders
There could also be a sweep between the Metropolitan rivals. I’ve been backing Carolina throughout the series and the heavy favorite Canes have jumped out to a 3-0 lead. On Saturday, however, the finger of warning is raised for Rod Brind’Amour’s team machine, which will by all accounts be given an inordinate amount of confidence by the Powerplay punters. The NY Islanders have been good in all dusts and in the last round, which Carolina won 3-2 in UBS Arena, the Canes were noted for just 1.1 xG. The big match winner was undoubtedly the Danish spade Frederik Andersen. On the goaltending side, however, the Isles should have an advantage with Sorokin/Varlamov, who lined up excellent efforts during the final sprint of the regular season. 1X is a delicious move as the runner up pulls away!
Skrällen – Austria
Germany defeated Austria 4-2 in Bavaria on Thursday evening. However, victory was a long way off for last year’s WC finalists. The Alpmen came back strongly from a 0-2 deficit and Nico Brunner was one shot away from putting the Austrians in the driver’s seat at the start of the third period. On Saturday, the venue is Salzburg, and here Austria should clearly have better chances to win than the percentage indicates. Coach Roger Bader is expected to bring in a dozen players from Salzburg and Klagenfurt – the finalists in the ICE Hockey League. With a stronger Austrian arsenal on the course, nothing is out of the question in Zell am See!
