Double or Nothing

This week's featured game on Sky Sports sees the Devils visit the Panthers in a buy one, get one free match-up at the Nottingham Arena.

Thursday night's contest counts towards both the Elite League and the Challenge Cup. This is where the phrase "four-point game" really does apply.

With Cardiff coach Gerad Adams aiming to double his money, he'll be turning to goalie Peter Aubry to shut down the Panthers.

In the last meeting between the teams on October 19 the Devils prevailed 1-0 in overtime thanks to a 38-save shutout from Aubry, who was between the pipes when Cardiff last won the trophy in 2005/06.

“Peter’s been really solid since he came back to Cardiff and of course he won the cup a couple of years ago,” Adams said, in an interview with skysports.com.

“He’s a great goalie to have in these situations. There’s no question that we are only as good as he is on the night. With the style that we play we can tend to give up shots and we need him at his best and he knows that.”

Nottingham, the reigning Challenge Cup champions, warmed up for the clash with an exhibition match in Switzerland, while the Devils won both of their league fixtures on the weekend.

“We’re really happy with where we are right now heading into it,” Adams added.

“It’ll be a good test for us and provide a reference point for us later in the year when we get into the playoffs. We’re really excited about playing in a big game like this - it’s great to be a part of.”

With such high stakes riding on the outcome, Adams knows that it's all or nothing.

“It’s gonna be a do or die game,” Adams said.

“I think Coventry look pretty set. Whoever wins has a big advantage – it will probably decide which of the two teams go through between us two.”

A win for either team would give them one foot in the next round, although the other members of Group B - Basingstoke and Hull - still have a say in the matter.

Belfast and Manchester are safely through from Group A.