After the eight-day national team break, the EVZ continues with the final spurt of the regular season. First on the program of the last seven games is the guest game in the newly named zondacrypto-Arena in Davos. In the fourth meeting between the two teams this season, the battle for fourth place is at stake – HCD is only two points behind Zug with one game less. If the EVZ wants to keep home ice in the playoff quarter-finals and qualification for the Champions Hockey League within reach, three points are a must in this direct duel.

No easy task awaits the team from central Switzerland in Davos: HCD have won all of their last five games in front of their home crowd after 60 minutes. The Grisons lead the direct comparison with 6:3 points – the last comparison on January 4 in the BOSSARD Arena went 4:1 to the EVZ.

In addition to the suspended captain Jan Kovar and the injured Tobias Geisser, Dominik Schlumpf, Livio Stadler, Nando Eggenberger and Fabrice Herzog, EVZ will also be missing head coach Dan Tangnes. The Norwegian is convalescing after back surgery and will be replaced behind the boards by Michael Liniger, the designated EVZ head coach for next season. HCD will also be without defenseman Michael Fora, who will serve an automatic one-game suspension following his second game-misconduct penalty in the last game before the national team break.