Schwenninger – Cologne

Playoffs in the German DEL and the match between Schwenninger – Kölner. Kölner won the regular season superbly. Surprising to many. But they never stopped impressing. Today's opponent Schwenninger finished all the way down in 9th place. But has advanced via qualifiers against Wolfsburg.

This is a best of seven match, and they play every other match home and away. Cologne will surely be eager to get off to a good start, to make this play-off as short as possible.

Kölner finished 6th in the regular season last year. While Schwenninger finished in the same position with 9th place. That really tells you which team has developed the best this season.

Schwenninger – already above the target.

Schwenninger had hopes of reaching a step further than last year, when they lost the same knockout round that they have passed this year. This could mean that the team is playing without pressure, and that it has nothing to lose. At the same time, there are many indications that it is here and no further.

They have been better at the end of the season, and in that sense have deserved to be where they are. It looked dark for a long time. Especially a period with 9 consecutive losses throughout December, made it a joke for a playoff spot.

Lack of players who produce well enough is probably a big part of the reason why Schwenninger ended up far down this season as well. Because even though the team is usable in the backcourt, they score too little. Canadian Platzer is the team's leading point picker. But is only number 42 in the points statistics. He has 39 points in 52 games.

In 52 games they have 72 points, scoring 147 and conceding 157. Only three teams have scored less during the season. Compared to today's opponent, this is exactly what could be the problem.

Cologne - ready for new surprises.

Kölner surprised everyone including themselves in the regular season. They won absolutely brilliantly, even with a slightly weak finish towards the playoffs. 116 points against the next team Adler Mannheim's 103 points. Did enough to make them not need to win.

We think they'll pick up the gauntlet again now that it's the playoffs. They have a golden opportunity to make it to the next round, and maybe they can surprise everyone again. We think this team has the potential to go all the way.

The team has produced the most goals up front of any team. They have simply been a pleasure to watch. This team scores a lot, and they score against anyone.

They have 116 points, with a 200-136 goal difference in 52 games. Which means almost 4 goals on average going forward. Danish Russell and Canadian MacLeod are both in the top six in the points league, and with several others pushing on, this team is full of players who contribute forward on the field. We think that may be the big difference in this matchup. The team produces consistently in several ranks, and should be too good consistently.

Conclusion – the same team wins every time.

Sometimes it happens that you have a good grip on your opponent. It seems that we are witnessing such a showdown between these teams. The teams meet four times internally in the regular season. There Cologne has won all four this season. That too after full time without extra time.

If you look at last year, this was completely the opposite. Where Schwenninger won all four matches. It also says a bit about the steps Cologne has taken this year. The matches against the teams that are placed far down in the table have been won, and that has led to them winning the regular season.

It seems like the team takes all opposition seriously, and they guarantee they do now too. We therefore try the following bets at good odds.

Hockey at 19:30: Schwenninger - Cologne: Cologne winner (1.91)

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