Växjö Lakers HC – Örebro HK 25-09-2025

The SHL has been going on for a couple of weeks now, and we've started to get a picture of where the teams belong. Because we have to admit that it's always exciting at the start of the seasons to see how the teams look, and not least how the season takes shape.

The teams that meet here could quickly end up at opposite ends of the table, as they have already started. For Vaxjø Lakers have started well, while Ørebro looks weaker. These teams were table neighbors last year with 8th place at Vaxjø and 9th place at Ørebro respectively. Ørebro secured a playoff spot in the last round of the series last year, with a better goal difference than Leksand. This in the most dramatic way with a 5-5 draw after normal time against Luleå, and thus 1 point.

In the playoffs after this, the team was eliminated by today's opponent when they lost over 3 games against Vaxjø. That balance of power should not have diminished now.

Växjö Lakers HC – at the top of the table

Vaxjø has had a great start to the season so far. They lead the series with 3 wins and 1 loss in 4 games. Both games have been won at home. Hv71 and Djurgården have felt the pressure in Vida Arena. There will most likely be more pressure than usual on this Thursday. Because these days it is 10 years since Vaxjø won its first SM gold. It will be celebrated in this game, and old heroes will be paid tribute. This party starts on Wednesday with a show in Palladium. The party continues, as I said, with the game on Thursday. We think it will have an effect. A good atmosphere always does something to the home team.

They have been very good at home so far, and the team produces good goals. That is always a good sign in hockey. It often tells something about how good the team is. If you have an offensive game, you often go far. It really seems that this team has this year. 17 goals in 4 games so far. against 8 behind. They also kept a clean sheet in the last home game against Djurgården in the 4-0 victory there.

Canadian Reid Gardiner has been tremendous so far. He came from Finnish hockey, and has taken the level here by storm. He has points in every game so far this year, and stands with 4 goals and 4 assists in 4 games. American defenseman Brogan Rafferty has also contributed after coming over from the AHL. He has 6 points in the last 3 games. These two have now ended up in the same row with Elvenes who themselves stand with 5 points, and you may see the outlines of a real super row. It will be exciting to follow.

So far, the goalkeepers have been on every other match. But after Adam Ahman kept a clean sheet last time, we believe that he will gain renewed confidence, and that they will finally land on a clear first choice. They will still have Persson as a good option if they have to do something here.

Örebro HK – must fight hard for playoffs

Ørebro is somewhat expected to be already quite far down the table. We think they will stay there soon, to fight for some of the lower playoff spots. The team does not seem to have made as big steps as their opponent. So this will probably be a tough season.

They opened with a nice win against Hv71, but are now on a three-game losing streak. Hv71 finished last in the table last year, and need not be a benchmark. A negative goal difference of 8-12 also suggests that they often lose narrowly. But it must be said that the opposition has been weak so far, with the exception of Frølunda.

The only positive thing, and which Vaxjø will certainly focus on, is that Ørebro has so far been the top scorer in the league. Karlkvist has 9 points in 4 matches and his teammate Puistola from Finland is enjoying it. He also has 5 points. In addition, David Quenneville from Canada has been brilliant at defense and also has 6 points. They can of course cause problems. but we think Vaxjø has the depth needed.

Conclusion – the pressure will be great from the home team

Considering the 10th anniversary, and pressure from the home crowd, combined with quality, there is much to suggest that this match could go towards a home win. Internally, the home team also has a historically good hold on this match, and stands with 7 wins in the last 10. At home, the numbers are even better and they have won 6 of the last 7 at home against the same opponent.

We strongly believe that Vaxjø will be better this year, and that Ørebro may be weaker. Then the difference between these two teams should be so large that we recommend the following bets.

Hockey at 19:00: Växjö Lakers HC – Örebro HK: Växjö Lakers HC wins (1.83)