The German national ice hockey team cannot afford any more mistakes at the end of the group phase in Herning, Denmark.

Win or be knocked out. The German national ice hockey team will face Denmark this evening (8:20 p.m./ProSieben and MagentaSport) for a place in the World Cup quarterfinals. "We're playing for everything," said striker Marcel Noebels before the showdown against the co-hosts and direct rivals.

"We need the best performance of the tournament. There are no more excuses," emphasized captain Moritz Seider of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. "We have to be ready for the biggest game of the group stage."

Only with a win in Herning can national coach Harold Kreis's team travel to Stockholm on Wednesday. Otherwise, the quarterfinals will take place without the German Ice Hockey Federation's team for the first time since 2018.

"We have to be ice-cold. We're lacking a bit of composure at the moment. We don't need to score ten goals; one would be enough," complained Noebels, who had only returned to the team for Monday's sixth group match against defending champions Czech Republic (0-5), replacing the injured Lukas Reichel.

The Eisbären Berlin forward called for better coordination among the players. "Currently, we have the problem that two players are working with the puck, while three are just watching," explained the 33-year-old. "When one player has the puck, he relies on the other to do something special and leave two players behind. Our strength is running. The support for each other must be there from the start against Denmark."

Noebels was also present at Germany's last preliminary round exit seven years ago – also in Herning. Back then, the German national team lost 3-2 to Denmark in their tournament opener. "We have to be well prepared against an opponent who will play with a lot of emotion," Noebels said.

After three clear defeats against the top nations, both teams have recorded three clear wins against their smaller opponents. However, Denmark's three wins will see them reach the group final, while Germany has suffered three consecutive defeats.

The hosts may also have another trump card: NHL star Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets headed to Herning immediately after his team's elimination in the NHL playoffs and is expected to be on the ice this evening.