Who Will Lose the NA Playoff Race?

[JardyB10 4,865]

With my VHLM team, the Miami Marauders, being in a spectacular rebuild this season, my own team's personal success hasn't been of much interest to me this season. Thus, I turned my eyes to the big leagues.

 

The European Conference has been pretty straightforward all season. Yes, Moscow (and now Riga) is JUST outside a wildcard spot, and could theoretically bump Malmo or even Helsinki out of contention, but the standings have been virtually unchanged in this regard all season, so I don't anticipate this happening.

 

The North American Conference, however, is a much different story. New York, Calgary, D.C., and L.A. have been neck in neck all season, competing for not only the final wild card spot, but also the privilege of not having to play the Wild Card round at all! Seattle and Chicago established themselves in the Top 2 fairly early on, but the rest of conference has been up for grabs.

 

Most recently, the Americans have been on an absolute tear, and have begun solidifying themselves at 3rd. At this very moment, they're 5 points ahead of the 4th place team, which is Calgary. The Wranglers, with an extra game played, is just 2 points ahead of the Stars, who are just 1 point ahead of the Dragons, who are on a six game losing streak (with an OT loss today). Therefore, it's still anybody's game. But who will come out on top?

 

It's tough to say. As I mentioned, the Americans current level of play might just be enough to solidify at least a playoff position, barring a Dragon-like skid (which is entirely possible). Ultimately though, it will likely come down to the schedule.

 

The Wranglers and the Americans play each other two more times, and the latter currently leads the season series 2-1.

 

New York also needs to face off against the Stars one more time. That series is tied 2-2.

 

The Dragons are done with their playoff competitors, but they will soon need to play the league leading Bears three games in a row, with a game against the Phoenix as a nice little cherry on top. However, the Dragons have yet to lose a game to Seattle this season, though they have struggled against Chicago, decisively losing 4 of 5 games. In truth, it might suit the Dragons to play in the Wild Card round, as that will likely lead them to play the Bears in Round 2. Interestingly enough, the Dragons are the only team in North America that Seattle doesn't have a winning record against.

 

Anyway, these were my random disorganized musings of an exciting story line in S78. I'm eager to see how it all shakes out!

 

EDIT: To answer my title, probably Los Angeles, very possibly Calgary or D.C.

Edited June 17, 2021 by JardyB10