VSN Presents: S83 VHL Playoff Preview

[Alex 2,876]

@v.2

 

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.This was truly an incredible season and we should be in for a few upsets in the playoffs While you’re here be sure to check out some of the other recent VSN articles.

 

VHLM Illustrated Edition 4 5/26/2022 | TPE Max Earners #26-28 | Top 10 Defensemen

 

Wildcard Series

 

 Chicago (4) vs. D.C. (5) 

 

After a wild season D.C. will look to find their stride in the playoffs. This series could be a close one as Chicago’s rookies led by The Board Game Clue On Skates @MubbleFubbles and Bo Johansson @Shindigs, both of who were top scoring rookies with 82 and 81 points respectively. On D.C.’s side of things they will look for their offense to take a big step forward and will be relying heavily on Taylor Mourning @scoop. The season series was dominated by D.C. seeing them win 5 of the 6 matchups.

 

Prediction: D.C. in 4 (best of 5)

VSN vote: CHI 1, DCD 7

 

 Prague (4) vs. London (5) 

 

After being in a nail biter of a playoff race, these two teams came out on top and both have something to prove. London’s defense will be key for them to win this series, in part their top 2 defensemen in Rolf Fizzlebeef Jr. @TacticalHammer and Tom Eagles @Greg_Di, but also Cole Pearce @N0HBDY will need to be on top of their game. For Prague it’s all in their offense, led by Reylynn Reinhart @Ricer13, Luc Tessier @KC15, and Baby Bob @Baby Boomer who finished the season with 99, 83, and 83 points respectively. In the regular season Prague won 4 of the 5 matchups, although most games were close. This series should be a close one, however the consensus was that Prague would take it likely due to David Davis @Josh shutting down the London offense.

 

Prediction: Prague in 5 (best of 5)

VSN vote: PRG 5, LDN 0

 

Conference Semi-Finals

 

 Toronto (2) vs. Calgary (3) 

 

After what we could call a miracle season, Calgary enters a tough series against Toronto. This series will be focused on two specific players, Saku Kotkakoivu @DollarAndADream who finished the season with the league lead in points with 122 and Paul Atreides @Mr_Hatter who was the sole player in the league to break the 60 goal mark. These two players will need to continue their play in what could be one of the highest scoring series we will see. Calgary won the season series 4-2, however we should see Toronto come alive in the playoffs and make their way to the conference finals.

 

Prediction: Toronto in 7

VSN vote: TOR 5, CGY 3

 

 Seattle (1) vs. D.C. (5) 

 

Seattle has had a remarkable regular season, which saw them finish tied for 1st place in the league with Moscow, only to have less ROW. Seattle will likely look to make a statement in this series to show that they are the top team in the North American Conference. Seattle’s offense will need to be firing on all cylinders if they are to best top rookie goaltender Bubbles Utonium  @fishy who finished the season with a respectable 0.916 SV%. Seattle is the only team that had two 50 goal scorers in the regular season with Zeedayno Chara @Jubis and AJ Williams @ajwllmsn, both of who will carry the Seattle offense in this series. Seattle swept the regular season series and we can expect them to do the same here.

 

Prediction: Seattle in 4

VSN vote: SEA 4, DCD 2

 

 Riga (2) vs. Warsaw (3) 

 

For Warsaw to win this series they will have to figure out a way to shut down Riga’s big 3 of Alex Johnston @Alex, Anze Miklavz @kelvi, and Battre Sandstrom @Acydburn who were the 3 highest scoring players in the entire European Conference. That starts with their goalie, Wumbo @Fire Fletcher who had a 0.920 SV% this season and offseason acquisition Hari Singh Nalwa @Dil who led the team’s defense in scoring with 83 points. In the regular season Riga won 5 of the 6 games, with Tobias Reinhart @Spaz picking up a shutout in 3 of the games.

 

Prediction: Riga in 4

VSN vote: RIG 8, WAR 0

 

 Moscow (1) vs. Prague (4) 

 

Moscow has come back with a vengeance this season after 3 consecutive finals losses. Prague does have a decent chance in this series, although they didn’t win a single one of the seven game season series as Moscow would pick up all 14 possible points. Prague’s biggest advantage here comes with their depth and season 82 top goal scorer Darth Kaprizov @Darth Kaprizov. For Moscow they will need Hard Markinson @STZ and Duncan Idaho @OrbitingDeath to continue what they have done in the playoffs already. This should be an interesting one and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Prague steal a game or 2.

 

Prediction: Moscow in 5

VSN vote: MOS 5, PRG 2

 

Conference Finals

 

 Seattle (1) vs. Toronto (2) 

 

This series is one that many were looking forward to all season, Seattle and Toronto have had a close regular season with Seattle winning three of the five games. Seattle’s advantage in this series starts with the depth on their blueline with Hulk Hogan 2 @Hogan, Max Torq @Steve, Mikhail Kovalchuk @Banackock, and Sven Eightnine @BarzalGoat. Toronto will likely come into this series depending on Aurlien Moreau @Frank and Paul Atreides for their offense and will lean heavily on Oskar Lindbergh @Doomsday between the pipes. This series could go either way and should be one to watch.

 

Prediction: Seattle in 7

VSN vote: SEA 6, TOR 1

 

 Moscow (1) vs. Riga (2) 

 

A rematch of last season's European Conference finals, this season should be a close one as these teams were back and forth for the entire regular season as they split the regular season series 3 games a piece with Riga having the slight advantage in goals with 20 compared to Moscow’s 17. This could prove to either be a defensive battle with Tobias Reinhart and Papa Emeritus @Beketov going toe-to-toe, or an offensive show with both teams having dominant forward groups. We have Moscow getting the win in this series with a slight edge in goal.

 

Prediction: Moscow in 7

VSN vote: MOS 4, RIG 3

 

Continental Cup Finals

 

 Moscow (1) vs. Seattle (1) 

 

For the first time in 4 seasons we do not have a Moscow vs. Vancouver finals. Seattle was dominant in the regular season winning 3 of the 4 games and outscoring Moscow 17 to 6 in the last 3 games between the two teams. For Seattle they will need likely top goaltender Em Em Flex @oilmandan to continue to shutdown Moscow’s offense, in particular perennial Boulet Trophy winner Duncan Idaho. For Moscow this also comes down to their goalie, Papa Emeritus who will need to figure out a way to stop the Seattle offense. In this matchup we have Moscow losing their 4th straight finals as Seattle will claim yet another Continental Cup.

 

Prediction: Seattle in 6

VSN vote: MOS 3, SEA 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.

Edited May 27, 2022 by Alex

[AJW 1,749]

Let’s get it @Jubis

[Ricer13 2,593]

I hope there are some surprises this season! 

[Banackock 7,660]

The people think DC will do better VS Seattle compared to TOR. 
 

Jokes on VSN. Chicago in 5. 

[Banackock 7,660]

PS. Fun stuff @vsn

[dlamb 1,299]

2 people vote DC > SEA but not even a single person believes in us

[Jubis 1,282]

5 hours ago, ajwllmsn said:

Let’s get it @Jubis

Lets  fffffnnñ go !!

[Beketov 8,650]

On 5/27/2022 at 6:54 PM, Alex said:

Prediction: D.C. in 4 (best of 5)

VSN vote: CHI 1, DCD 7

[Alex 2,876]

5 minutes ago, Beketov said:

You’re forgetting that all the VSN predictions have always been horribly wrong…

Edited May 28, 2022 by Alex

[BOOM 8,427]

So these Predictions won't guarantee a perfect bracket? Dodgy! 

[Frank 4,786]

On 5/28/2022 at 3:31 PM, Alex said:

You’re forgetting that all the VSN predictions have always been horribly wrong…

[Victor 10,550]

VSN on a roll tbh....