Devils tackle Blaze in start to Play-Off title bid

Cardiff Devils last won the Elite League Play-Offs title in 2022 and were beaten finalists in 2023 and 2025 [Rebecca Brain] Cardiff Devils begin their play-off campaign this weekend in hot form and aiming to win their first domestic trophy for four years. They travel to Coventry Blaze for the first leg of their quarter-final on Saturday, with the return in Cardiff 24 hours later. The winners will progress to the Elite League (EIHL) Play-Off Finals weekend in Nottingham on 18-19 April.

Cardiff approach the season's finale having won seven of their past eight games - albeit that one defeat was a 5-4 loss at Coventry. And that surge of form came from a 5-3 loss to Glasgow Clan in mid-March which infuriated head coach Paul Thompson. "I was really upset with the display up in Glasgow, the effort and the commitment that I'd got from the group, and we all got together and told a few home truths," said former GB coach Thompson.

"It's been a bit of tough love over this period to get us back on track and the players have to take the plaudits because they've delivered. " Devils finish second in Elite League with Panthers win Panthers 'embrace' Challenge Cup win - Stewart Despite that narrow defeat at the Skydome Arena on 29 March, Cardiff will be facing a side they have beaten five times out of six in the league, though many who have seen Coventry this season will be surprised they ended the regular EIHL campaign only seventh. "They're a much better team than that represents and we're going to have to be ready for that," said Devils' captain Joey Martin.

"They have a good mix of skill. They're physical, their structure is really good, I think they're pretty dialled into their systems, and they're well coached. "So, it's a tough match-up, especially when you go and play in Coventry.