The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze are set to face the Cardiff Devils in a high-stakes Elite League Playoff Quarter-Final, with a place at Finals Weekend in Nottingham on the line.
The tie will be decided over two legs on aggregate score. The first meeting takes place on Saturday 11 April at the Skydome Arena (7pm), before the return leg heads to the Vindico Arena on Sunday 12 April (5pm). The winner will advance to the Playoff Finals Weekend at the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham on 18-19 April.
Coventry enter the post-season as the seventh seed, while Cardiff, under the guidance of former long-time Blaze coach Paul Thompson finished second in the regular season, ending the campaign nine points behind champions Belfast Giants. Both sides have recent playoff pedigree – Blaze last lifted the trophy in 2014/15, while the Devils’ most recent triumph came in 2021/22, completing a three-peat.
Season Series and Form
The two sides are no strangers this season, having met eight times across league and cup competition. Cardiff had the upper hand in Elite League action, winning five of six meetings. However, Coventry enjoyed success in the Challenge Cup, winning both encounters en route to the Final – proof they can rise to the occasion against the Welsh side.
Offensive Leaders
Grant Mismash has been the standout performer for the Blaze, leading the team with 54 points while also topping the goal charts with 22. First-year pro Matthew Gleason also impressed, hitting the 20-goal mark in a strong debut campaign.
For Cardiff, Kristoff Kontos led the team with 53 points, while Josh MacDonald’s 27 goals made him the Devils’ most potent finisher. Joey Martin and Cole Sanford also provided consistent scoring support, each reaching 20 goals.
Special Teams Battle
Special teams could prove decisive over the two legs. Coventry boast a strong powerplay, converting at 22.70% – the fourth-best rate in the league. Defenceman Jere Vertanen has been particularly effective on the man advantage with nine goals, while Mismash and Gleason have contributed six apiece.
Cardiff’s powerplay, operating at 19.58%, ranked eighth overall, but they remain dangerous – particularly through MacDonald and Martin, who each recorded seven powerplay goals.
Defensively, the Devils hold the edge on the penalty kill, ranking third at 82.24%, compared to Coventry’s ninth-ranked 75.14%.
Strength from the Blue Line
Both teams bring offensive threats from defence. Cardiff’s Brandon Estes recorded an impressive 42 points (6 goals, 36 assists) in 54 games, continuing his strong form after last season’s Danish playoff success.
Coventry counter with Jordan Power, who has made a significant impact since arriving mid-season, posting 25 points (8 goals, 17 assists) in just 33 games.
Between the Pipes
Goaltending will be another key factor. Coventry are expected to rely on Mat Robson, who posted a 91.76% save percentage and a 2.97 goals-against average across 41 appearances.
Cardiff, meanwhile, have strength in depth in net. Great Britain international Ben Bowns delivered outstanding numbers with a 93.19% save percentage and 1.94 GAA in 32 games, while Christian Stoever also impressed with a 91.63% save percentage and 2.23 GAA.
