Brynäs Fighting for Their Playoff Lives

There are only five games remaining in the regular season over in Sweden and as of right now, Brynäs sits in ninth place. Of the twelve teams in the league, the top eight advance to playoffs, while teams in ninth and tenth do not. The bottom two clubs (11, 12) fall to a relegation tournament against the top teams from HockeyAllsvenskan - Sweden's second-tier league.

Brynäs started the season off tremendously, as did goaltender Jacob Markström. He struggled briefly before getting back to form and the club held at the middle of the pack for weeks.

When Markström left for the World Junior Championship in December, the duties were passed on to backup goalie Anders Lindbäck.

Lindbäck struggled the first two games, allowing 11 goals on 57 shots (.839%), and then played superbly the next two, stopping 79 of 81 (.975%). His strong play continued over the games that followed.

Markström returned and was rested, dressing as backup to Lindbäck on January 10. Brynäs lost the game, 5-4 and Markström would get the next start. He stopped 28 of 30 in a 2-1 loss to MODO on January 15th and then picked up a win against Frölunda two days later.

Facing Timrå a few days later, Brynäs was dominated. Markström conceded four goals on 38 shots, but his teammates combined only had 12 of their own. The following game, Markström faced 22 shots and stopped 20. The next game, he stopped 18 of 21. Maybe exhausted, or simply out of his groove, Markström was given a rest while Lindbäck eagerly awaited another opportunity.

Lindbäck stopped 44 of 46 in an overtime loss to Skellefteå in his next start. Markström took the next game and allowed four goals on twenty shots. Against Frölunda on February 10th, Markström faced 14 shots. Again, he gave up four goals.

Since then, Brynäs has played twice more, opting to start Lindbäck in each. They've won both, and now sit in ninth with 70 points. Ahead of them, Djurgården holds the eighth spot as a result of goal differential. Two points ahead, with 72, Timrå, and two points behind, MODO.

Two of the remaining five games for Brynäs come against Färjestad and HV71, first and second in the league, respectively. They also have two games to play against teams they can pass in the standings: Djurgården on the 21st and Timrå on the 26th. Next up, however, Brynäs will need to pick up points against last-place Södertälje. In four meetings this season, Brynäs has won three of four (1-0, 1-0 and 2-1). The two shutouts went to Markström (23 saves and 40 saves), while the loss was credited to Lindbäck. In their most recent meeting, though, Anders faced 43 shots and stopped all but one, carrying his team to a 2-1 victory.