It couldn’t be much tighter heading into Sunday’s Quarter-Final second legs in the 2026 Elite League Playoffs.
With three of the games separated by just a goal, and one of them level after 60 minutes, it promises to be a Sunday full of drama.
We start at 4pm in Nottingham, where the playoff title-holding Panthers need to make up a one-goal deficit against Manchester Storm after the visitors took the first leg 2-1. The last four games between the teams have been decided by a single goal, but Manchester are without a win in Nottingham this season, except for their Challenge Cup fixture back in October.
Also at 4pm, Sheffield Steelers and Guildford Flames have just 60 minutes (or more) to decide who makes it to Finals Weekend after their first leg ended 1-1. To advance, Guildford will have to do something they have not managed since December 2023: win at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.
Starting at 5pm, Cardiff Devils return home with a 2-1 lead over Coventry Blaze. That result extended the Devils’ winning streak to four games, while putting the Blaze on a four-game losing run. Four of the last five meetings between the teams have been decided by just a single goal.
Finally, at 7pm, Glasgow Clan return to home ice after nearly pulling off a result in Belfast, but they start with the Giants leading 1-0 on aggregate after a winner in the final two minutes on Saturday night. Glasgow’s last outright win over the Giants, without the game going to overtime or a shootout, came in March 2025.
What if we’re tied on aggregate after 120 minutes?
If the teams are tied on aggregate after 120 minutes of play, the game will go to a five-minute sudden-death overtime period. If no winner is found, a standard EIHL shootout (best of five) will take place, followed by a sudden-death shootout if required.
Photo: Panthers Images