Crucial weekend ahead for Devils' Elite League dreams

The history of all team sports is littered with stories of a particular weekend where a league campaign was won or lost.

With six weeks left of the Elite League season there is a lot of hockey still to be played, but many Cardiff Devils fans could be forgiven for thinking their title challenge could rest on the next two games.

On Friday, the Devils host league leaders Belfast Giants at the Vindico Arena and on Sunday they visit fourth-placed Nottingham Panthers.

Even though Cardiff have 15 Elite League games left to play, it is difficult to avoid the feeling that success this weekend is paramount for the team currently occupying second placed.

And Devils head coach Paul Thompson acknowledged the importance of the next two matches.

"I don't think it'll decide the season because we all must play each other so many times but it's pretty crucial we come out the right way," Thompson told BBC Sport Wales.

"Belfast have been on an unbelievable run of just picking up points when they shouldn't.

"They're picking up points in overtime, picking up points late in the game, when they're behind they're finding a way to keep the point board ticking and that's why they've been the team with all the wins.

"It's their experience of having players that have won multiple championships and the rest of the pack are just chasing it."

Since the turn of the year Belfast have had the best form in the league with 12 wins and four losses.

Cardiff's form of nine wins and five defeats in 2026 is similar to the other title chasing teams. The Sheffield Steelers have 10 wins and five losses while the Panthers have picked up eight wins and six defeats.

If there is a time for the Devils to mount a compelling title challenge this weekend presents a huge opportunity.

And when it comes to facing Belfast there is plenty of reason for Cardiff to feel buoyed up.

The Giants' record on the road in the league has been far from spectacular with eight defeats in their 20 away fixtures.

The Devils have also beaten the Giants in both their previous home games against them this season.

"We've had a good look at them," said Thompson.

"They've had a good look at us too, and we've spent the whole week focusing on them and Nottingham and we're excited by the challenge.

"The situation is we're four points off Belfast; we must close that gap and it makes Friday a four-point game."

On Sunday, Cardiff travel to Nottingham to take on a Panthers side who in January became the first British club to lift the Continental Cup for the second time.

The Panthers are also coming off a 3-0 win over Sheffield in the Challenge Cup semi-final first leg earlier this week.

But again, there is much for Cardiff to be optimistic about.

The Panthers have lost 10 home games in the league and cup this season.

Two of those losses were inflicted by the Devils this season – the first time they have won in the Nottingham Motorpoint Arena in two years.

Thompson said: "They're a highly talented team offensively there's no doubt about that and we must be mindful of that, but I think over the last month we've been playing pretty well.

"In Guildford (last weekend) we gave up eight shots when we were five-on-five so defensively, we're strong.

"We've just got to make sure that we keep doing the right things to get ourselves in positions to score goals and take our opportunities when they come but I love the way we're playing right now.

"We're really excited about the opportunity this weekend. Two massive games but we're a good team as well so I'm confident that we will come out of this the right way."

For Thompson, who won six league titles with Coventry Blaze and Sheffield Steelers and in 2025 led Odense Bulldogs to their first ever Danish championship, the pressure of this part of the season is familiar territory.

"Come March time you just want to still be at the party," Thompson added.

"It's squeaky bum time but now we've all got to be - and we are - totally united in what we're trying to achieve.

"If it comes off (winning the Elite League) it'll be phenomenal for the city, for the club, for the players, for the fans and we'll be leaving everything we have on the ice."

Friday 20 February

Cardiff Devils v Belfast Giants (19:00 GMT)

Sunday 22 February

Nottingham Panthers v Cardiff Devils (16:00 GMT)