After 35 regular season matches Cardiff Devils find themselves top of the Elite League table.
While they are just four points ahead of Sheffield Steelers, Cardiff have shown plenty of quality over the course of the season and look well set to compete for the both the league and play-off titles.
Ultimately, they have the strongest and most talented squad – which are both crucial for Elite League success.
Cardiff strengthened their roster as recently as Monday, with former Columbus Blue Jackets forward Ryan Russell joining the team.
It would be foolish to say that Russell’s arrival suddenly makes Cardiff the leading candidates for success, but NHL experience could be crucial during the latter stages of the season.
Andrew Lord’s team are in excellent form, winning 22 out of 35 games, while suffering just three defeats at the Big Blue Tent.
The Devils are simply sensational at home and it would take a brave man to back against the Welsh side. Coral can keep you updated on all of the latest odds and news in the build-up to each and every Devils game – including in the play-offs.
Their closest challengers could well be Erhardt Conference rivals Sheffield Steelers. Cardiff and Sheffield stand tall as the best teams in Britain and last year’s champions will believe they can topple the Devils once again this season.
Sheffield’s high-octane offense is extremely difficult to stop once they get going and the rest of the league are well aware of their lethal threat on the counter.
Coral are pricing the two teams as equals in the market and both will be keen to get one over on the other when they face-off in what could be a crucial contest on January 17th.
Cardiff have struggled to make a consistent major impact on British Ice Hockey since the late 1990s, but have really stepped up their game in the last couple of years.
It will be tough, but Devils now have a squad capable of claiming the Elite League title and following up with victory in the end-of-season play-offs in Nottingham.
(Image permission: Helen Brabon)
