Wednesday: Can Panthers go second?

Photo: Panthers Images

Nottingham Panthers could end the night just a point off league leaders Belfast Giants, but they'll have to get past Cardiff Devils first if they want to get there.

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It's a huge Wednesday night game at the Motorpoint Arena. The Panthers, third overall and just three points off top spot, have lost only six of 24 home games in league action. They are the league's best team over the last 10, 20 and 30 games with only a slower start preventing them from being higher. Goalie Jason Grande has an insane set of statistics since coming into the Elite League in December. In 25 league starts, he's stopped 94.73% of shots faced and won 16 games, giving up an average of just 1.74 goals per game.

Cardiff responded to losing the Challenge Cup Final with a big win against Dundee, but were then beaten in Sheffield in a result that all-but ended any slim hopes they had of a league title. In both of last weekend's league games, the Devils opted for Ben Bowns in net with Tyler de La Bertouche as backup, allowing them to ice 15 non-homegrown skaters in those games.

While the Devils have won three out of four against the Panthers in Cardiff, the Panthers are 100% against the Devils in Nottingham with three wins this season. The Devils' last win in Nottingham in a competitive game against the Panthers was over a year ago in early March 2024.