Djurgården fell 1-4 to a patient Växjö side at Hovet, marking their fifth consecutive home defeat in the SHL. The loss highlighted defensive struggles around their own net, despite some individual bright spots. Hockeynews' Mattias Ek provided player ratings on a 1-10 star scale.
Djurgården's match against Växjö at Hovet ended in a 1-4 defeat, underscoring ongoing challenges at home with this being their fifth straight loss on their ice. Växjö capitalized on patience, breaking through after persistent pressure on Djurgården's defense.
Goaltender Magnus Hellberg earned five stars, but Ek noted he lacked support around the net, leading to human errors under strain. Among defensemen, Gustav Lindström and Hugo Blixt both received six stars for solid zone work; Lindström handled most defensive tasks effectively, while Blixt recovered from an early mistake to improve. Jesper Pettersson and Joey LaLeggia got five stars each—LaLeggia scored his ninth goal of the season in power play but was on for two goals against. Colby Sissons also rated five, better offensively but struggling with puck exits. Philip Holm, at six stars, excelled offensively alongside linemates but needed better cleanup in his zone.
Forward performances varied. Viggo Björck, Jacob Josefson, and Joe Snively each got six stars for strong play; Snively assisted LaLeggia's goal in the third period. Mathias Emilio Pettersen (five stars) drove harder to the net and added a power-play assist. Håvard Salsten and Arvid Costmar rated four stars, with Salsten delivering a heavy hit but limited offensively. Victor Eklund impressed with energy in his Hovet return, earning six stars for tackles and drive. Marcus Krüger (six stars) battled hard but will miss the upcoming Frölunda game for a Chicago Blackhawks ceremony. Anton Frondell (six stars) had four shots on goal and hit the post. Lower lines struggled, with Ludvig Rensfeldt (four stars) trapped in his zone for Växjö's second goal, and Albin Grewe (four stars) drawing a five-minute penalty after a scrum.
Valtteri Pulli and Daniel Brodin saw limited ice time. Overall, the ratings reflect a team that showed flashes but couldn't overcome defensive lapses.
