The first six will be directly qualified for the quarter-off finals. The teams classified in ranks 7 to 10 will compete in the Play-In, which will determine the last two quarter-finalist. The 11th and 12th will go prematurely on vacation while the 13th and 14th will play the play-out.
Club issues by club by Saturday:
1. Lausanne (97 points)
Program: Friborg-Gottéron (H), Zug (A).
Since Tuesday evening, the LHC has been guaranteed to finish the qualification in mind. This could be a decisive advantage for the Geoff Ward team in the play-off and allow it to win a first title of champion. Last season, the Vaudois failed in the seventh final game, on the ice of the Zurich Lions …
2. Zurich Lions (90)
Program: Davos (A), Kloten (H).
The title holder, who recently won the Champions Hockey League, has long been in the race to finish in 1st place. But the change of coach after Christmas, when Marc Crawford threw in the towel for health reasons and was replaced by Marco Bayer, initially destabilized the team a little. The Zurichois will want to defend their 2nd row in order to have the advantage of ice as long as possible.
3. Bern (88)
Program: Ambri-Piotta (A), Geneva-Servette (H).
With a finish of fire, the bears could still hang the 2nd row. But Jussi Tapola’s team will face two clubs still in the running to climb into a play-in and which will therefore have a tenfold motivation.
4. Zug (85)
Program: Kloten (A), Lausanne (H).
The Zugois will at least want to maintain their 4th place, synonymous with the advantage of ice in the quarterfinals. In theory, they also still have a thin hope of finishing in 2nd row.
5. Davos (83)
Program: Zurich Lions (H), Rapperswil-Jona (A).
Graubünden also have the opportunity to finish in the Top 4. Josh Holden’s team showed Tuesday that it could beat the Zurich Lions. If she does it again on Thursday, Davos will increase her chances of starting the playoff at home.
6. Friborg-Gottéron (77)
Program: Lausanne (A), Ambri-Piotta (H).
The Friborg cannot look up. The men of Lars Leuenberger are intended to maintain their 6th place and avoid the play-in. Since the arrival of the new coach, Gottéron has scored at least one point in 17 of the 19 matches played.
7. Kloten (76)
Program: Zug (H), Zurich Lions (A).
The aviators of Lauri Marjamäki are guaranteed to participate at least in the play-in. But they still hope to dislodge Friborg-Gotteron and go directly to the play-off. However, they will probably have to win their two games to get there.
8. Langnau Tigers (71)
Program: Bienne (A), Ajoie (H).
The Emmental club still has a small hope of climbing the top 6. If Friborg does not register for the sprint and the tigers exceed Kloten thanks to two successes, they would then be ahead of the dragons thanks to direct confrontations (10 points in 4 games). It would be the first time since 2019 that Langnau would have been in the quarterfinals.
9. Ambri-Piotta (70)
Program: Bern (H), Friborg-Gottéron (A).
With two successes, the Léventins could join Kloten and pass them in front of them thanks to a better assessment in their matches. A good end of qualification would bring a better position to biancoblu in the perspective of the play-in. With at least the 8th row, they would have two chances of arriving in the play-off. But Ticino must count: if they do not succeed, there is a risk of finishing beyond 10th place and therefore to go on vacation.
10. Biel (69)
Program: Langnau Tigers (H), Lugano (A).
The Seelanders also hope to climb into the top 8. For them, the duel against Langnau will be decisive. Bienne, however, no longer fears a premature end of the season. Because even if Lugano returned up to the task, the Bianconeri would be preceded to direct confrontations.
11. Geneva-Servette (68)
Program: Lugano (H), Bern (A).
Thanks to six successes in their last seven games, the Genevans have maintained their chances of playing the play-in. But the protégés of Yorick Treille are not yet completely safe from having to compete in the play-out.
12. Rapperswil-Jona Lakers (67)
Program: Ajoie (A), Davos (H).
The Lakers season can switch one way or another. Rappi must absolutely beat Ajoie so that I can hope to go to the play-in. Otherwise, a start on vacation on Saturday seems likely. But beware, with two losses, the Saint-Galois could slide in 13th row and therefore in the play-out.
13. Lugano (63)
Program: Geneva-Servette (A), Bienne (H).
The Bianconeri completely missed their season. Their only goal is to win their two games to avoid play-out and be able to go in the sun on Saturday. They no longer have any chance of hanging the play-in.
14. Ajoie (46)
Program: Rapperswil-Jona (H), Langnau Tigers (A).
Ajoie has long been sentenced to last place. The Jurassians have finished at the back of the peloton during the four seasons disputed in the elite since their promotion. So they are used to play-out. In addition, the possible series against the winner of Swiss League could fall into the water. Among the promotional candidate clubs, the only aid is still engaged in the Play-Off on the lower floor.
