Barry Smith had to leave the coaching job after a heavy start.

And even though the new constellation Nichlas Falk and Mikael Aaro took two straight victories early in their rule - 5–3 at home against Färjestad and 4–2 away against Leksand - Djurgården has since been back on the losing track.

Before Thursday's away match with Skellefteå, most of the champions had three straight losses, with a total goal difference of 4-17.

As if that were not enough, Expressen reported on Wednesday that Linus Videll in Djurgården has reported the club for abusive discrimination.

Djurgården has initiated an investigation with the help of two independent experts.

Fourth straight farm loss

And on the ice came the fourth straight loss when Skellefteå won 2-1.

Linus Karlsson made it 1-0 in powerplay at the beginning of the second period and Rickard Hugg increased seven minutes later, also in powerplay.

Skellefteå dominated and won the shooting statistics by 36-20.

Djurgården certainly got a reduction through Marc-André Gragnani in the third period - but with 6.38 left, Jonathan Johnson put 3-1 to Skellefteå's third straight victory.

Extra suitable for Johnson, as it was clear before the match that he will extend his contract with Skellefteå over the 2023-24 season.

Nine points up

Skellefteå thus consolidates to third place in the table.

Djurgården has continued nine points up to Brynäs on safe ground after 21 games played, and the question is whether Stockholmers can avoid qualifiers this spring.

The star Marcus Sörensen did not have much to say to C More - but sometimes, as you know, body language and what is not said can be telling enough.

- Zero points.

Too bad, said Sörensen.

What did he think of Djurgården's contribution?

- Both up and down.

I do not know.

We do it perfectly well in our own zone many times.

Releasing two in boxplay, so five against five in their own zone was probably perfectly okay.

And what did he have to say about Djurgården's precarious position in the table and the sequel?

- No, look ahead.

Match on Saturday.

I do not know what to say, I'm tired right now.

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List: The crisis in Djurgården Photo: Bildbyrån