Game Days 1-4 have come and gone and while some clubs have already qualified for the Round of 16, ten places still remain as the race for the Playoffs heats up.
With a pair of pivotal Game Days left to be played, here are five things to look forward to when the Champions Hockey League resumes in a few days time!
Crunch time - 10 Playoff places up for grabs
Six teams have already secured their spot in the Playoffs, but that leaves 10 places wide open for the most deserving teams to swoop in and take.
Group C and D are done and dusted with ZSC Lions Zurich and Rögle Ängelholm filling out both of Group D's Playoff places and Red Bull Munich and Tappara Tampere filling out both of Group C's.
Luleå Hockey have dominated in Group A and are also qualified, but there is still room for one more Group A team to join them in the Playoffs and the same applies for EV Zug from Group B.
Flawless teams
Two teams have stayed perfect throughout their first four contests and as Rögle Ängelholm and Luleå Hockey gear up for the next two Game Days, these Swedish clubs will be looking to maintain their winning streaks.
They’ll face some tough opposition, however, as Rögle will suit up against fellow Group D Playoff qualifier ZSC Lions Zurich who have yet to lose in regulation, whilst Luleå take on the Aalborg Pirates who are no strangers to delivering an upset.
Still Searching
Most clubs have succeeded in securing their first points of the campaign, but there are some who are still on the hunt for theirs. Grenoble, Fehérvár AV19, Slovan Bratislava, and Olimpija Ljubljana are all out of the Playoff picture, but still have the opportunity to win some points before their seasons end because ending on a positive note is better than nothing.
Making a Name
The Straubing Tigers and Jukurit Mikkeli have made the most of their CHL debut with each of the clubs on the verge of securing a berth in the Playoffs in their inaugural CHL seasons.
Straubing sit in second place in their Group and are tied at nine points with Swedish side Färjestad Karlstad while Group F rivals Villach SV and Comarch Cracovia each have three points.
We want to advance to the Playoffs. We’ve got October in our sights and we’re looking forward to playing Villach to end the Group Stage.Mark Zengerle of the Straubing Tigers
Jukurit's position, on the other hand, is a little more precarious as they sit in second, six points behind Luleå and only three points ahead of Czech challengers Sparta - their upcoming opponents.
But if both teams manage to secure their spots in the Playoffs they will be in for another challenge altogether as they make a major step towards the Europen Trophy!
Top of the Crop
Some players have been racking up points with aplomb since puck dropped back in September. We've already highlighted the Top 5 Forwards outpacing their peers and these next two Game Days will give them the opportunity to etch their names on the scoresheet once again. Five forwards currently have eight points, and with two of those five belonging to clubs who've booked their trip to the Playoffs, those totals could easily rise.
Munich's Ben Street is currently tied for first in scoring with six goals and two helpers but some players, such as fellow Munich forward Andreas Eder (1G,6A), are also finding the scoresheet on a regular basis. With so much action yet to be seen, the scoring race is sure to catch fire as clubs continue to chase that coveted place in the postseason.
Be sure to return as CHL action returns for Game Day 5 on Tuesday, 4 October and Wednesday, 5 October followed by Game Day 6 one week later!