Week 27: Games in hand and a full weekend

Photo: Panthers Images

It's getting very tight in the Elite League as we head into week 27 of the 2024/25 season.

Only 55 league games remain this season, with the league title and race for playoff places still a long way from certain.

Wednesday night is very much 'Games in hand' night. Nottingham Panthers could go second, when they play Glasgow Clan at the Motorpoint Arena. The game is the Panthers' one in hand over second-placed Sheffield, and would see them end the night only three points off top spot - although then having played a game more than the Giants. Glasgow have played two games few than sixth-placed Guildford who they trail by three points. 

In Manchester, Storm have two games in hand on Dundee ahead of taking on the Stars. While that differential will stay after Wednesday's game, it's a huge four-pointer with the teams separate by five points in the race for the final playoff place. Storm realistically can't afford to lose it. Finally, in Scotland, Fife flyers welcome Cardiff Devils to Kirkcaldy. The Devils have a couple of games in hand on the teams above them, but go into the week seven points out of third.

It's a full weekend of games on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday begins at 6pm with Guildford Flames hosting Fife Flyers, with four games then starting at 7pm. League leaders Belfast Giants host Dundee Stars, while Coventry Blaze will look to close the gap on Cardiff when the Devils visit them. Glasgow continue on the road in Manchester, with third facing second when Nottingham entertain Belfast.

On Sunday, the Devils are home at 4pm to face the Panthers as to of the top four go head to head again. Clan finish their road week in Sheffield, while Manchester are in Dundee in a reverse of Wednesday's fixture. Fife entertain Coventry and Guildford welcome Belfast to end the week.