This year's final is a repeat of the 2015 SHL Final which saw Växjö Lakers as underdogs gaining an unexpected victory over twice reigning champions, Skellefteå AIK. This time the Lakers come in as favourites after a faultless regular season whereas Skellefteå's weakness has been inconsistency.
Here's a look at the four key battles which will determine who will pick up the Le Mat Trophy in 2018.
1. Goalkeeping: A classic battle of Finnish youth vs Swedish experience
Skellefteå's first choice keeper is Finn Joni Ortio. The 26 year old was drafted as early as 2009 by Calgary Flames, for whom he has already played 37 games. Now back in Europe, he is in his second season in the SHL and has the best stats of the two keepers in the Playoffs.
35 year old Viktor Fasth first played for Växjö from 2007-2009 and has been a late bloomer compared to his rival. Back in Sweden for the first time since then after several seasons in the NHL, AHL and KHL, he led the SHL in shutouts outperforming his opponent in the regular season.
Advantage: Skellefteå - Ortio is thriving in the playoffs and has youth on his side.
2. Växjö Attack - Is Elias Pettersson simply too good for Skellefteå?
Ones to watch: Elias Pettersson, Andrew Calof and Robert Rosén (VLA)
Ones to watch: Emil Djuse, Mark Katic and Henrik Hetta (SKE)
All eyes will be on the 19 year old, 2017 Vancouver Canucks drafted, Elias Pettersson. He has an opportunity to crown the season off as league champion as well as best in Total Points.
But he is not alone.
26 year old Canadian, Andrew Calof, will face his former teammates, and this could be the series that sees him established as one of the best import players in Sweden today.
And let's not forget Robert Rosén. The 30-year-old is one of the more underrated talents in the SHL, sneaking in just behind the Top 10 in Total Points in the regular season.
Amazingly, Petterson, Calof and Rosén don't have a single game in the NHL, AHL or KHL between them but still collected 137 points in the regular season.
There is no doubt that Skellefteå's top hitter Swede, Emil Djuse, now back from two months out with concussion, as well as Canadian defenseman Mark Katic are going to have a very busy time. Can they cope with the Lakers awesome firepower where threats appear on every line?
The secret to blunting the Växjö Lakers attack will be holding them in their defensive zone through proactive forchecking, breaking up the forward passing play and aggressively defending the blue line.
A key player in this will be Skellefteå forward, Henrik Hetta. He came seventh in the whole SHL for hits.
But hemming in the Lakers through active forechecking has it's own risks, especially for one of Skellefteå's star strikers, Joakim Lindström. He has twice received a match penalty this season and is the team's most penalised player.
Advantage - Växjö: the Lakers attack is too good and too broad for Skellefteå to handle.
3.Växjö Defense - too hot-headed to cope with sizzling Skellefteå strikeforce?
Ones to watch: Joakim Lindström, Oscar Möller, Pär Lindholm, Jimmie Ericsson (SKE)
Ones to watch: Noah Welch, Daniel Rahimi (VLA)
For me this will be the key to the game.
How will Växjö deal with the power trio of Joakim Lindström, Oscar Möller and Pär Lindholm who are now joined by seasoned veteran, the 38 year old, Jimmie Ericsson? The first three players contributed 139 points and were all in the top 9 in the regular season for Total Points.
Växjö's chief weapons at the back are US Olympian Noah Welch and Swede Daniel Rahimi. They are traditional big hitters, tough and gnarly defensemen. But that does have it's downsides. These two plus Canadian forward Brendan Shinnimin served an ill-disciplined 221 Penalty Minutes between them this season.
The problem for Växjö is that Lindström and Company also love the rough stuff and get loads of energy from standing in the blue paint irritating defensemen. Then they crush teams on the Power Play with brilliant finishing. Welch and Rahimi must stay out of the box to take home gold.
Attack maybe the best form of defence for the Lakers against Skellefteå's first line.
It is worth remembering that Daniel Rahimi was also second in the SHL in plus/ minus behind a player you've probably heard of, Elias Pettersson.
Advantage- Lakers: Sam Hallam will have drilled discipline in the team all week. Stay out of the box, win the Championship. Simple!
@ABritOnThinIce1
