Molin's Panthers have beaten Sheffield twice in the league this season

Nottingham Panthers forward Johan Molin expects two difficult games with in-form Sheffield Steelers this weekend.

The pair meet in Nottingham on Boxing Day before returning to Sheffield to go head-to-head on Sunday.

Sheffield have recovered from a slow start to the season to take 10 wins from their last 12 games.

Swede, Molin, 33, told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I knew they would come back. They had a tough start but they have a solid team."

He added: "They had a really good year last year. They haven't started off too good but these will be two tough games."

Panthers are currently second in the Elite League table, two points behind leaders Coventry.

Sheffield are 12 points behind in sixth, but have four games in hand

"These games are special and it's a nice feeling to get out in both rinks with packed, sold-out games," added Molin.

"Those games you look forward to a little bit more and it's going to be great this week, I hope we can come out with four points."

Steelers' Dave Simms said: "We've got a little bit of confidence now and confidence is a big thing.

"We've won 13 of our last 15 if you include the Continental Cup and we are hot, but we are just hot starting from a very low position.

"We're starting to play with confidence and we're starting to play with a little bit of belief."

Panthers against Sheffield faces off at 1700 GMT on Boxing Day, with the clash in Sheffield getting underway at 1800 GMT.

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