When?
March 1-March 22.
How?
A quarter-final series in the best of three matches, a semi-final series in the best of five matches and a final series in the best of five matches.
The law?
In order of final position in the table: Luleå, Brynäs, HV71, Djurgården, Linköping, Modo, SDE, AIK
Who broadcasts?
SVT Sport and C More share the rights in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
SVT broadcasts exclusively from the final series.
SVT Sport will start broadcasting from March 1 and the match Modo-HV71 starting at 19.30.
The corona imprint of the playoffs?
To reduce travel during the pandemic, SDHL has changed the rules of the game.
The poorly ranked team in the semifinals and final begins with two straight home games.
Maria Rooth
: - That schedule changes are made to reduce travel is completely understandable, however, I see that the lower ranked team benefits from starting with two matches at home, says SVT Sports expert.
THE EXPERTS AND COMMENTS TIPS AND GUIDES
SVT Sports expert Maria Rooth and commentator Chris Härenstam think ahead of the SDHL playoffs.
Photo: Bildbyrån
Who do you think will win the Swedish Championship gold?
Chris Härenstam:
I tipped Brynäs before the season and stand by it.
Tipping is a matter of honor.
But I really believe that Luleå wins gold - with its breadth, peak and hunger.
Brynäs goalkeeper Eveliina Suonpää must break a personal record, she will be the single most important player in a possible final series.
Luleå can be their own worst opponent if they lose concentration.
Maria Rooth:
Luleå.
They have felt not to be the best with a canceled final game last year (due to the pandemic) when they were down 0-1 in matches against HV71.
Luleå has been incredibly strong all season.
Stable and hungry.
But they will be pressured by Brynäs in the final series.
CLIP: Luleå broke the points record (February 17)
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Ronja Savolainen.
Photo: Bildbyrån.
Which team will be a positive surprise?
Härenstam:
Two teams have the potential to surprise: Djurgården and Modo.
Thanks to the pandemic, Djurgården has released young players born in 2003-2005 such as Maria Lindberg, Nicole Hall and Lova Blom.
Self-confidence was at the bottom, but now it is something completely different.
Now they believe in going far in the playoffs.
Djurgården is top of form in the right position.
Modo can actually knock out HV71.
Modo is so hard to meet, the best grade you can get as a team.
They lack the same tip as HV but all players in Modo play their role really well.
Rooth:
Many teams will perform well this year.
Djurgården has a chance to surprise.
Modo are young and torn, can they raw on HV71?
Which team will be a disappointment?
Härenstam:
It is not 100 percent harmonious in
HV71
this season.
HV was just one match away from winning Swedish Championship gold last year.
I think HV has it with them this season.
Injuries - a lead-heavy loss in Hanna Olsson (cruciate ligament injury) - and new line-ups all the time have not created security.
AIK
is otherwise the biggest disappointment this season.
Is there really a chemistry between coach (Jared) Cipparone and the players?
Rooth:
AIK is a disappointment in this year's SDHL as I think they have more to get out of the team.
Who will be the queen of the playoffs?
Härenstam:
Misuse of saying someone other than
Lara Stalder
.
She has broken the points record in the SDHL and holds absolute world class.
Even the world's best player, according to our expert Nisse Ekman.
Rooth:
Michela Cava is a player who constantly delivers points for Luleå, she thinks she will deliver big in this year's playoffs.
But there are more.
Lara Stalder, this year's points queen who will have a lot of the yoke on her shoulders if Brynäs is to go all the way.
CLIP: Stables historically - best score of all time
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Lara Stalder historical - best score of all time Photo: Bildbyrån
Who will be the playoffs' positive exclamation marks?
Härenstam:
Lina Ljungblomi Modo has found the form at the end.
A great talent for several years.
Now she takes better care of herself outside the rink with diet and, above all, physique.
She looks stronger, lighter and smoother.
A goal scorer with a damn temperament and a winner's skull.
Josefin Bouveng
in Brynäs would actually have played in North America, but due to the pandemic, it became a game in Brynäs.
A stroke of luck for both parties.
The development has been sensational.
Rooth:
Josefin Bouveng, Brynäs, I think will show a great game in the playoffs.
A fearless, young, Swedish player who lifted many snaps during the season.
Clip: Ljungblom's outburst - allegedly shouting "fuck off" to the judge
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Lina Ljungblom and Modo.
Photo: Bildbyrån
What will characterize the Swedish Championship play-offs this year?
Härenstam:
I never think the series has been better than this season.
There is sometimes an artistry in SDHL.
A couple of weeks ago we had a penalty shootout with crazy goals.
Players who bid on themselves.
And I want a grumpy playoff with even matches.
SDHL has been a bit too kind and can get better there.
Rooth:
Really good both semifinals and finals.
Tight, tough matches I always hope for, but this year I think it will be so.
I hope that good play and nice goals will be the playoffs' snack ice cream, but since it is a corona season, it may take up more space.
Canceled matches due to covid?
Not impossible as there has not been much of that product during the season.
CLIP: Super penalty by Stalder decided (January 30)
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Lara Stalders super penalty decided against HV71 Photo: SVT
Which player (s) should TV viewers keep an eye on?
Härenstam:
In Luleå, Petra Nieminen is an uncut diamond.
Potential to become the world's best player but uneven.
She knows everything, goal scorer and forward, and with a game intelligence beyond the ordinary.
Rooth:
Points queen Lara Stalder is a real joy to see on the ice, so incredibly smart and skilled.
Sidney Morin and Kennedy Marchment in HV71, the Finnish duo Jenni Hiirikoski and Petra Nieminen in Luleå will, as usual, be worth seeing.