As Playoffs in VHLM Approach, How do Teams Stack Up? (Week of 7/25)

[TopTiddee2 186]

I'm sure as many of you know, I posted a quite lengthy .com article last week regarding VHLM playoffs and how each team stacks up. Well, just for fun, we're gonna do it again. A couple of teams have already clinched (we all expected it), and one team seems to be falling down a rabbit hole.

 

Las Vegas Aces (45-5-4, 94 PTS) - 100%

Well, as @Shindigs commented last week, there was no way that Vegas was going to drop every game to miss the playoffs. Vegas has now claimed at least an "X" in the standings, meaning that they have officially clinched the playoffs. This doesn't come as a surprise considering they have players in the top 10 in every stat, especially in the +/- department, where 9 out of the 10 spots are Vegas. Though Vegas hasn't officially clinched the #1 spot for the playoffs, they will have a 4 game block with the 4 teams behind them in the standings (Mississauga, Philadelphia, Mexico City, and Houston). After these games, we should know who will be in the drivers seat for the playoffs. If the playoffs were to start today, Vegas would play #8 Saskatoon. I give Vegas a 100% chance of making the playoffs and an 87% chance of retaining the #1 seed.

 

Mexico City Kings (35-11-8, 78 PTS) - 100%

Mexico City seems to still be a threat to Vegas as they officially clinched over the week. Like I had recommended last week, Mex City needed some forward help. Right before the deadline, the Kings sent Miami's S85 3rd Rounder to Saskatoon in exchange for LW Nikolas Kauppi and Saskatoon's S85 5th Rounder. While I think they could've potentially grabbed an active player with an earlier pick, Mexico City is pushing to get forward help to compete in the playoffs. They do have the chance to obtain the #1 seed, however, they need to keep up the momentum so they don't fall too far down the standings. If they playoffs were to start today, Mexico City would play #7 Ottawa. I give Mexico City a 100% chance to make the playoffs and a 9% chance of grabbing the #1 seed.

 

Houston Bulls (35-14-4, 74 PTS) - 100%

Houston not only leap-frogged Mississauga in the standings, but they officially clinched a spot in the playoffs. The fact that the Top 3 teams in the league are out of the Western Conference is pretty surprising, meaning that the West could control these playoffs. While they didn't make any deals from the release of the article and the trade deadline, they still have the pieces to compete in the playoffs, not to mention that they hold several picks in the next draft. I think Houston is on the come up not only now, but for the future as well. If the playoffs were to start today, Houston would play #6 Halifax. I give Houston a 100% chance to make the playoffs, and a 2% chance to grab the #1 seed.

 

Mississauga Hounds (33-15-5, 71 PTS) - 100% 

I will be honest, the fact that Mississauga is dropping in the standings makes me somewhat nervous come playoff time, nevertheless, they clinched a spot in this season's playoffs. They did not make any moves between the article and the trade deadline, however, they did make a large deal with Ottawa to obtain a couple of players. They are still in need of a true starter in net in my opinion, however, it is not an absolute desperate need for them. If the playoffs were to start today, Mississauga would play #5 Philadelphia. I give Mississauga a 100% chance to make the playoffs and a 2% chance of grabbing the #1 seed.

 

Philadelphia Reapers (31-20-3) - 100%

Philadelphia clinched a playoff spot, but they didn't make any significant moves before the deadline. They distanced themselves from Ottawa in the standings but are still tight with Halifax. They haven't really made any different moves, and look to be on a similar path from the previous article. If the playoffs were to start today, the Reapers would play #4 Mississauga. I give Philadelphia a 100% chance of making the playoffs and a 0% chance of grabbing the #1 seed. 

 

Halifax 21st (28-21-5, 61 PTS) - 95%

Halifax is the 1st team outside of the playoffs, but it's almost certain they'll grab a spot. Sitting a pretty good distance from Ottawa and only a couple of points behind now-clinched Philadelphia. Jeffery Bezos no longer sits atop the league in points, and it seems like Halifax is going to stay in the #6 spot come playoff time. They'll have to start looking for D or wait until the draft to grab some. If the playoffs started today, Halifax would play #3 Houston. I give Halifax a 95% chance to make the playoffs and a 0% chance to grab the #1 seed. 

 

Ottawa Lynx (20-30-4, 44 PTS) - 65%

Ottawa is still on the bubble, but there's a good chance that they make the playoffs. As mentioned before, Ottawa made a large deal with Mississauga that saw 4 of its players sent for 2 future picks. Even though they only have 4 players left on their roster, they are still in a position to grab the #7 seed. If the playoffs were to start today, Ottawa would play #2 Mexico City. I give Ottawa a 65% chance of making the playoffs and a 0% chance to grab the #1 seed.

 

Saskatoon Wild (17-35-2, 36 PTS) - 48%

Saskatoon was able to turn the corner. They have leap-frogged San Diego in the standings and now hold the #8 spot, clinging onto the playoffs. They made a move with Las Vegas which saw the Wild send Robert Overmeyer to the Aces in exchange for future draft picks. We'll see if Saskatoon can continue to keep up the momentum, but they are projected to lose in the 1st round to either Vegas or Mexico City in the playoffs. If the playoffs started today, Saskatoon would play #1 Las Vegas. I give Saskatoon a 48% chance to make the playoffs and a 0% chance to grab the #1 seed.

 

San Diego Marlins (14-38-2, 30 PTS) - 29%

San Diego has now fallen below the cutoff line for the playoffs. This has made it a scary situation for the Marlins, as they are now on the brink of a once possible shot at the playoffs. With only 5 players on the roster, SD seems to be in a rebuild mode. If the playoffs were to start today, San Diego would miss the playoffs. I currently give San Diego a 29% chance to make the playoffs and a 0% chance to grab the #1 seed.

 

Miami Marauders (11-39-4, 26 PTS) - 8%

Miami, Miami, Miami. In the last 16 games, Miami is 2-14, one win coming in OT. As I have said before, this franchise is in a free-fall. Luckily, they have a couple of reinforcements coming in the S85 draft. But this team is brutal. End of story. If the playoffs were to start today, Miami would miss the playoffs. I currently give Miami an 8% chance to make the playoffs and a 0% chance to grab the #1 seed.

 

Once again, throw the shade. Idc. It's my opinion. 

[Shindigs 1,771]

The one thing I'd point out is just a thing about the seeding. Since Mississauga are 1st in their conference they still hold 2nd seed, despite not being 2nd in points. So that shuffles who plays who a bit, also there were a couple last minute trades with Houston and Philly that slipped past you. But other than that it was a nice read.