VSN Presents: S81 VHL Playoff Preview

[Alex 3,199]

@WranglersSuck

 

Welcome to VSN’s VHL playoff preview and predictions, in this article we’ll break down each series and discuss what players could be key to turning the tide of the series and potentially pulling off an upset. While you’re here be sure to check out some of the other recent VSN articles.

 

Under 200 Power Rankings/Playoff Preview | Season 79 Malmo NightHawks: Continental Cup Champions | VHL Trade History - S72 VAN/MOS

 

Wildcard Series

 

 Los Angeles vs. Toronto 

Our first series of the playoffs could be a quick series as we have Los Angeles, a team that is very much in a win-now mindset taking on a Toronto team that over performed all season to squeak into the final playoff spot. This season Los Angeles went 3-1-1 against Toronto and with that out scored them 20-14 in those games. For Toronto to stand a chance they will need rookie goalie Oskar Lindbergh @Doomsday to stand on his head and for the rest of their rookies to step up in a big way. For Los Angeles this series should be a quick one as if they just play the way they did all season it should be theirs for their taking with the majority of their roster approaching their final seasons this is their best chance.

 

Prediction: Los Angeles in 3

VSN vote: LAS 6, TOR 1

 

 Warsaw vs. HC Davos 

This series is shaping up to be a nail-biter with Warsaw winning the season series 3-2 and with each game being a 1 goal game. For the most part every game between the two this past season came down to goaltending and I see a similar trend happening here with both teams starting goalies going toe-to-toe with Andrew Bowman @BrutalBoost and Kunibuni UnGuri @Berocka, here I have to give the nod to UnGuri and thus Davos as they outperformed Bowman in every single statistical category this past season. If Warsaw is to have a chance, retiring franchise player Chris Reynolds @Crstats23 will need to step up in a big way to beat Davos’ defense lead by Reylynn Reinhart @WranglersSuck and get to UnGuri.

 

Prediction: Davos in 5

VSN vote: DAV 4, WAR 3

 

Conference Semi-Finals

 

 Seattle vs. Calgary 

Another series where during the regular season no team had a clear edge with each team winning 3 of the 6 games, during which Seattle would outscore Calgary by only 2 goals (21-19). For Calgary to keep this close they are going to need to shut down Seattle’s offense, namely league leading scorer Justin Lose @youloser1337 who will already be adding a lot of hardwear at the end of the season and will be looking to add a Continental Cup to their trophy case. The player tasked with this will likely be Calgary’s top 2 defensemen in Tom Eagles @Greg_Di and Rolf Fizzlebeef Jr. @TacticalHammer If Calgaries defense can step up to the plate we could have a close series on our hands. Also in Calgaries favour is that Sirkants Klamasteris @hedgehog337 has had yet another great season and will look to close the door on Seattle and tilt the series in Calgary’s direction. 

 

Prediction: Seattle in 7

VSN vote: SEA 4, CGY 3

 

 Vancouver vs. Los Angeles 

After what Vancouver did in the regular season it’s hard to debate a reason on why they will not make it at least out of the conference semifinals. In the regular season Vancouver took 4 of the 6 match-ups and would dominate Los Angeles in each of their wins, putting up near double digit goals in 2 of them. If Los Angeles is to slay the reigning champion it will likely fall on the shoulders of Rara Rasputin @Victor who will need to be the best player on the ice in each and every game. For Vancouver it will likely be Jerome @MexicanCow123 and Tyler Reinhart @Zetterberg who will lead their offense and will try to run over the Stars.

 

Prediction: Vancouver in 6

VSN vote: VAN 4, LAS 2

 

 Moscow vs. Prague 

Of all the series discussed so far, this looks to be the most one-sided with Moscow dominating Prague during the regular season winning all 6 of their games against Prague. In total Moscow out-scored Prague 29-12. In those games Duncan Idaho @OrbitingDeath and The Seabastard @Seabass. Papa Emeritus was also key to Moscow’s success against Prague and will need to continue to shut down Prague’s leading scorer Battre Sandstrom @Acydburn and top forward Dominic Gobeil @Dom. The main key for Prague is this series will come down to their goaltending, in particular David Davis’s @Josh ability to stand on his head in each and every game. Prague will likely steal a game or two, but it’s hard to deny Moscow a series win here.

 

Prediction: Moscow in 4

VSN vote: MOS 9, PRA 0

 

 Malmo vs. HC Davos 

Malmo does not have an easy road to the Continental Cup and will try to repeat the success they had in S79 Standing in their way will be HC Davos who will look to make their deepest playoff run yet during GM @GustavMattias’s final season. On paper this series looks like Malmo is the heavy favourites. During the season series Malmo took 4 of the 6 games with most games being within one goal. The main key for Malmo in this series is Brendan Telker @Telkster who will look to continue their offensive dominance. Similar to the previous series if Davos is to upset Malmo they will need to continue to be one of the best defensive teams in the league while having their offense step up in a big way starting with Luc Tessier @KC15 and Taro Tsujimoto. This series should be Malmo’s to lose, but could be closer than anticipated.

 

Prediction: Malmo in 6

VSN vote: MAL 9,  DAV 0

 

Conference Finals

 

 Vancouver vs. Seattle 

Once again Vancouver looks to be on their way to the Continental Cup Final. During the regular season the two teams split the season series 3 games a piece, with Seattle taking the slight advantage with goal scoring. This series could very well go to game 7, with the slight nod going to Vancouver so long as they can shut Justin Lose down, as Lose is the driving force behind Seattle’s offense. This series could very well come down to which team can be better defensively and in goal, which is where Vancouver has a clear advantage with Robin Galante Nillson @RomanesEuntDomus and Hari Singh Nalwa @Squidward0 providing a stronger top pair when compared to Seattle’s defense led by Zeedayno Chara @Jubis. 

 

Prediction: Vancouver in 7

VSN vote: VAN 5, SEA 3

 

 Malmo vs. Moscow 

During the regular season Malmo took the slight edge in the season series winning 3 of the 5 games all of which were very close. Although Malmo took the win in the regular season this Moscow team is built for the playoffs and will be a tough task. Hard Markinsson @STZ will be looking to make a name for themselves this playoff run and Malmo may very well fall victim to them and Moscow’s high powered offense. This Moscow roster doesn’t really have a spot where you can look and say “that’s their weak spot”, similarly Malmo has a near identical roster makeup and is slightly weaker in goal when comparing Artem Tretiak @Molholt to Papa Emeritus @Beketov which is where Moscow gets a slight edge. No matter who comes out on top of this series it will be a true joy to watch and it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top.

 

Prediction: Moscow in 7

VSN vote: MOS 5, MAL 3

 

Continental Cup Finals

 

 Vancouver vs. Moscow 

ROUND #2!!! A rematch of the S80 Continental Cup Finals which saw Vancouver win in game #7 with Jivere Zolnek @Sixersfan594 scoring the game winning goal in the first period. Both teams are very even on paper, however Vancouver swept the season series winning all 4 games, which is why they get the edge in this matchup yet again. Moscow will need to find a way to shut down Vancouver’s offense and their top pair of Markinsson and Aurlien Moreau @Frank will be up to the task. This series once again could go either way and leads to the question of will history repeat itself or will Moscow prove to be a menace to Vancouver’s hopes? Only time will tell. 

 

Prediction: Vancouver in 7

VSN vote: VAN 4, MOS 4

 

Thank you to everyone for reading and best of luck to each and every team in the playoffs! If you have any predictions of your own feel free to post them in the comments.

[BOOM 8,745]

[Doomsday 4,130]

On 1/3/2022 at 4:05 PM, Alex said:

 Los Angeles vs. Toronto 

Our first series of the playoffs could be a quick series

 

[Gaikoku-hito 2,081]

On 1/4/2022 at 6:05 AM, Alex said:

 Los Angeles vs. Toronto 

 

[Peace 1,532]

On 1/3/2022 at 2:05 PM, Alex said:

Prediction: Los Angeles in 3

VSN vote: LAS 6, TOR 1

 

 

[dlamb 1,326]

On 1/3/2022 at 4:05 PM, Alex said:

Prediction: Davos in 5

VSN vote: DAV 4, WAR 3

ratio

[Kisslinger 372]

1 hour ago, dlamb said:

ratio

W