The loss meant that Djurgården fell below the quarter-final line in the SHL standings.
"I'm disappointed. There are far too many players who are not where they should be today. We need to do better," coach Robert Kimby told TV4 Play.
To further rub salt in the wounds, controversial home star Robin Kovacs – a Stockholmer with sympathies in AIK – pointed the finger at Djurgårdsklacken on his way off the ice after the second period.
Missing sharp trio
Djurgården was missing the trio Anton Frondell (10 goals and 15 points), Victor Eklund (1 goal and 11 points) and Viggo Björck (4 goals and 8 points) who are preparing for the Junior World Championships in the USA.
When goalkeeper Magnus Hellberg and defender Oliver Kylington were also missing due to illness in the restart after the international break, things looked tough.
It didn't get any better than the home team getting off to a dream start when national team forward Christoffer Ehn scored 1-0 after just 35 seconds – on a pass from Kovacs.
Johan Södergran added just over five minutes into the third period – his first goal of the season.
"I was actually shocked, it was a long time ago. It's bounced wrong a lot, so it was nice," says Södergran.
The visitors' captain Marcus Krüger gave Djurgården new hope with a goal with just under six minutes remaining.
Took out the goalkeeper
Djurgården picked out goalkeeper Daniel Marmenlind with just under three minutes left, but then Fredrik Karlström was able to make it 3–1 into an empty goal.
Linköping is the worst home team in the series and has now won only its fourth victory in 13 matches.
A full seven rounds will be played in the SHL during the Junior World Championship, which will be held in Minnesota.
