Overview
- The DEL quarterfinals, which start Tuesday, feature EHC München vs. ERC Ingolstadt, Straubing Tigers vs. Eisbären Berlin, Adler Mannheim vs. Fischtown Pinguins, and Schwenninger Wild Wings vs. Kölner Haie.
- Playoff games use a best-of-seven format with home ice alternating each game, and tied games go to repeated 20‑minute sudden-death overtimes with no shootouts.
- Defending champion Berlin visits Straubing for Game 1 after five straight wins to close the season, while the Tigers took three of four in the regular-season meetings.
- München opens at home against Ingolstadt and is seen as a slight favorite, with Antoine Bibeau in goal as national team starter Mathias Niederberger is expected to miss the rest of the season.
- Mannheim hosts Bremerhaven on Wednesday after finishing second and touts the league’s stingiest defense, in a series that also pits new Adler goalie Maximilian Franzreb against his former club.