The 2010–11 Elitserien season was the 36th season of Elitserien. The regular season ran from 15 September 2010 to 5 March 2011, and the following playoffs ended on 14 April. HV71 won the regular season, scoring the game-winning empty net goal against Södertälje SK in the final round. Färjestads BK won the playoffs and thus became Swedish champions, beating Skellefteå AIK 4–1 in the finals. All of the local derby games between AIK and Djurgårdens IF were played in the Ericsson Globe. On 26 December 2010, a game was held outdoors between Färjestads BK and Frölunda HC in Karlstad, continuing a tradition of outdoor games started in the previous season. Like last season, the home team won the game, this time in front of 15,274 spectators. In Kvalserien, Modo Hockey requalified and Växjö Lakers HC qualified for the 2011–12 Elitserien season for the first time ever at the expense of Södertälje SK.

Regular season

Magnus Johansson of the Linköpings HC scored the first goal of the season.

Standings

Games

Statistics

Scoring leaders

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Leading goaltenders

These are the leaders in GAA among goaltenders that have played at least 1200 minutes. GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Attendance

Playoffs

The standard of eight teams qualify for the playoffs. HV71 won the regular season title for the second consecutive season with 96 points.

Playoff bracket

In the first round, the highest remaining seed chose which of the four lowest remaining seeds to be matched against. In the second round, the highest remaining seed is matched against the lowest remaining seed. In each round the higher-seeded team is awarded home ice advantage. Each best-of-seven series follows an alternating home team format: the higher-seeded team will play at home for games 1 and 3 (plus 5 and 7 if necessary), and the lower-seeded team will be at home for game 2, 4 and 6 (if necessary).

Quarterfinals

(1) HV71 vs. (8) AIK

(2) Färjestads BK vs. (7) Brynäs IF

(3) Skellefteå AIK vs. (5) Linköpings HC

(4) Luleå HF vs. (6) Djurgårdens IF

Semifinals

(2) Färjestads BK vs. (8) AIK

(3) Skellefteå AIK vs. (4) Luleå HF

Finals

(2) Färjestads BK vs. (3) Skellefteå AIK

Playoff statistics

Playoff scoring leaders

Playoff leading goaltenders

Elitserien awards

Rule changes

New rule changes include: