VSN Presents: S89 VHL Playoff Preview

[Alex 3,248]

@leandrofg

 

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 could 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.

 

Greenland's Golden Generation | Season 89 in Review | S89 VHLM ASG Skills Competition

 

Wildcard Series (Best of 5)

 

 Prague (4) vs. London (5) 

 

London’s S89 has not gone as planned, likely in part due to a lack of offensive depth and being in a very tough European conference. London’s biggest regular season contributor was Igor Molotov with 82 points in 72 games played. With that being said, if London is to make it out of the first round, they will need Jesse Teno @aimkin to do what they did last season one more time as the fate of London is in their hand as they run into Prague’s high-powered offense led by MVP Candidate John Jameson @Frank and Perry Laperriere @KaleebtheMighty. This series could be close but will ultimately come down to Teno. We have Prague edging out London here.

 

Prediction: Prague in 4

VSN vote: PRG 9, LDN 2

 

 Los Angeles (4) vs. New York (5) 

 

New York is back in the playoffs for the first time since S78 putting an end to the longest playoff drought in VHL history. Standing in New York’s way of a series win is Los Angeles, led by Sirdsvaldis Miglaskems @FrostBeard who will be looking to finally win a cup prior to retirement. This season was an interesting one as New York bought at the TDL, whereas Los Angeles sold several significant pieces. This may very well be the season where we see Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher lead New York past the wildcard round.

 

Prediction: New York in 4

VSN vote: NYA 7, LAS 4

 

Conference Semi-Finals

 

 Vancouver (2) vs. Calgary (3) 

 

This season may very well be Calgary’s last kick at the can for some time with Daniel Janser @Daniel Janser set to retire. In the first round here, we will see a heavy weight battle between them and Vancouver, the league’s top offense. This series could very well be a goal-scoring fest, with both teams boasting elite offenses. As we should see a head-to-head matchup between Daniel Janser, Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877, and Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg taking on Dogwood Maple @dogwoodmaple, Nico Pearce @Spartan , and Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ. This should be a high-scoring series, we have Calgary pulling off a narrow series win here.

 

Prediction: Calgary in 7

VSN vote: CGY 7, VAN 4

 

 Seattle (1) vs. New York (5) 

 

With New York making it out of the wildcard round they run into a very tough Seattle team that is led by a strong veteran core. Specifically, franchise player Hulk Hogan 2 @Hogan, and Tavish DeGroot @rory, both of whom had great individual seasons. In order for New York to stand a chance in this series they will need Augustus Kennedy @InstantRockstar to stand on their head. Best case realistically New York could steal a game or two, but this series will be Seattle’s to lose.

 

Prediction: Seattle in 4

VSN vote: SEA 11, NYA 0

 

 Davos (2) vs. Riga (3) 

 

This series could very well be focused on two players, Brian Kowalski @Wheaties, who became the league’s top defenseman this past season, and Skor McFleury @Alex, who were the two major pieces in a trade in the offseason and both could be considered top 4 defenseman in the league following great seasons for both. Both Davos’s and Riga’s offenses are fairly equal, with the biggest gap being defensive depth and goaltending. This series could very well be a close one, but with the difference in depth and goaltending, we have Davos taking the edge in this one.

 

Prediction: Davos in 6

VSN vote: DAV 8 RIG 3

 

 Moscow (1) vs. Prague (4) 

 

This series is a big one as the two teams were at the center of a major offseason trade with Clueless Wallob @DMaximus , Jason @Jason kranz, and Deron Nesbitt @AW13 going to Moscow and Jason Argos @Insypher and Matt Murdock @Acydburn joining Prague realistically this series could go either way and could either be extremely high scoring with Ronan Lavelle and John Jameson facing off or a goaltending battle with both goalies playing against their former teams. We have Moscow taking a slight edge here.

 

Prediction: Moscow in 7

VSN vote: MOS 10 PRG 1

 

Conference Finals

 

 Seattle (1) vs. Calgary (3) 

 

Having matched up the few last seasons in the playoffs these two teams are very familiar with each other. This series could very well serve as Cole Pearce’s @N0HBDY test as Calgary’s offense looks to make it back to the finals and get their veterans another cup before the impending re-tool. Seattle will also be looking to get pucks past Merome Dilson @MexicanCow123, as the rookie goaltender could very well be Calgary’s weakest link. We could be in for a very high-scoring series that could very well come down to the wire.

 

Prediction: Seattle in 7

VSN vote: SEA 6, CGY 4

 

 Moscow (1) vs. Davos (2) 

 

These two teams have been going back and forth all season following Davos’s reverse sweep of Moscow in the S88 playoffs, and we should be in for another nail biter of a series here. On paper the two teams are very even with Moscow having a slight edge with their forwards, and Davos with a stronger defense core. As a result, we could be in for a true goaltending battle with Clueless Wallob and Lachlan Summers @kirbithan going head-to-head. The biggest X-factor in the series could come in the form of Mason Jones @Masu Chan and Jake Thunder @Thunder for Davos, who are both set to break the all-time Davos playoff points record these playoffs. For Moscow, Hammar Voss @BOOM will be looking to bolster Moscow’s chances and lead their team to the series win. We have Moscow taking a very close series win here.

 

Prediction: Moscow in 7

VSN vote: MOS 7, DAV 5

 

Continental Cup Finals

 

 Moscow (1) vs. Seattle (1) 

 

A battle of the two top teams in the league sees Moscow and Seattle making the finals, these two teams split the season series winning 2 games each. This season could very well be Seattle’s last chance for some time as several key pieces are set to retire and there is no immediate replacement in the system, whereas Moscow should still be competitive for a few seasons to come. This series should be a close one as Moscow’s offense takes on a very well-rounded Seattle Bears team. This series could be very close and could go either way.

 

Prediction: Moscow in 6

VSN vote: MOS 8, SEA 2

 

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.

[Spartan 4,531]

Victory Fake News imo

[scoop 3,447]

New York vs Davos finals please

[Alex 3,248]

45 minutes ago, scoop said:

New York vs Davos finals please

Honestly would be incredible and somehow end in a draw so nobody wins

[FrostBeard 2,061]

6 hours ago, Alex said:

led by Sirdsvaldis Miglaskems @FrostBeard who will be looking to finally win a cup prior to retirement.

Win my 2nd cup...