- SønderjyskE need more production from top players
- Berlin's defence needs to go back to the basics
- Berlin could qualify for the Playoffs with a win
Nothing seemed to go right for Eisbären Berlin as they were handed their second loss in devastating fashion, falling 9-3 to Fribourg-Gottéron. Their Danish opposition, SønderjyskE Vojens, didn't fare much better, dropping their fifth consecutive match-up to the tune of 7-1 against Tappara Tampere.
Hopes of changing their losing narrative this season were of top priority to SønderjyskE, but the club's inability to get anything going against their Finnish opponents in their latest fixture resulted in the Danish side suffering their fifth defeat and 11th consecutive loss in the Champions Hockey League. Looking ahead, SønderjyskE will be one of a few teams playing for points at this stage.
To gain these points, they'll need to have a better showing from their top players, namely Nikolaj Krag Christensen, who has proven he can score as he ranked fourth in scoring in the Metal Ligaen last season with 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points in 47 games.
Their game against Fribourg notwithstanding, Berlin have been one of the better defensive teams throughout the tournament. Before their contest against the Swiss side, the Germans were on a three-game streak of giving up two goals or less.
As they get set to go up against one of the weaker squads in SønderjyskE, Berlin's priority should be to get back to that stingy defence that saw them frustrate other top opponents in Dynamo Pardubice and Sparta Prague, the latter of which they defeated 3-0 on Game Day 4.