VSN Presents: European Conference Playoff Race!

[Alex 2,876]

Hi everyone, today we’ll be taking a look at the European Conference playoff race that is as close as ever! While the top teams have started to clinch, the gap between Malmo and Helsinki is only 2 points, and we have 3 very close races within the playoff teams! Let’s dive right in and start at the top!

 

1^st Seed: Prague Phantoms 

Record: 40-12-5

Maximum points: 115

Having already clinched a playoff spot, the Victory Cup race is on in Prague. Prague has experienced great success this season off of their offensive strength with Fred Hampton @TownBizness, and John Jameson @Frank both in the top ten of league scoring with 76 and 74 points respectively. In addition, Matt Murdock @Acydburn is having a great season with a 0.933 SV% and a 2.15 GAA, finally giving Prague the goaltending that they have always needed. The only gap with Prague comes with their defense as the do not have a single defenseman over a point per game despite being the third best offensive team in the league. Having already clinched a playoff spot, the rest of the season will focus on winning another Victory Cup.

 

2^nd Seed: HC Davos Dynamo 

Record: 39-14-3

Maximum points: 113

Davos clinched a playoff spot yesterday and now their focus turns to ending the longest Victory Cup drought ever, having last won the award in season 37. Without a doubt the main reason for Davos’s success this season has been Lachlan Summers @kirbithan who currently has a ridiculous 0.939 SV% and a 1.99 GAA. Just in front of Summers Skor McFleury @Alex and Jake Thunder @Thunder have both had great seasons to lead Davos offensively having the 3^rd and 4^th most points for defensemen. Davos’s forwards have never been their strength of late, but with all of James Teekirque @Mongoose87, Alfred Champagne @Anthique, and Pete Mitchell @Crstats23 being over a point per game it is very good to see! The race for the 1^st seed should be interesting as Davos and Prague play each other 2 more times this season.

 

3^rd Seed: London United 

Record: 31-20-4

Maximum points: 100

Points to clinch: 16

London has been on a tear lately winning 13 of their last 14 games, and that streak has sent them rocketing up the standings and into a race with Riga to avoid the wildcard. London’s season has been an interesting with a slower start, and then a massive win streak to not only get them into a playoff spot but, essentially lock one up! The main reason for this would have to be both Molly the Cat @JCarson and Leonard Triller @Triller stepping up and producing at a ridiculous pace. Jesse Teno @aimkin also turned their season around in short order and now has a 0.932 SV% and a 2.24 GAA. London will be looking to avoid the wildcard round for the first time since S85.

 

4^th Seed: Riga Reign 

Record: 28-22-7

Maximum points: 93

Points to clinch: 19

Riga has had a very solid season and has been in a playoff spot for a majority of the season, despite only running with 2 defensemen prior to the trade deadline. The addition of Dabnad Shaw @Dabnad has been needed and fills a massive gap. Riga does have one of the more well-rounded rosters now. Riga’s offense has been lacking a bit so far this season, and we could very well see some improvement throughout the remainder of the season as their player’s shooting percentage improves to get closer to the league average. Riga should easily make the playoffs, barring a monumental collapse and we can look for them to push London for the 3^rd seed and a matchup with Prague or Davos.

 

5th Seed: Helsinki Titans 

Record: 23-27-7

Maximum points: 83

Points to clinch: 29

This season has been a weird one for Helsinki, on paper it should have gone much better given that they are the 4^th best team in the league on paper and even with recent addition Hammar Voss @BOOM they have gone 12-13-4. The main reason for this has been their defensive play as they have the 4^th most goals against in the league, if their defensive play can improve there is no reason why Helsinki can not only make the playoffs, but they could potentially make a considerable playoff run. With only 2 points separating them and Malmo, it could be very close.

 

6^th Seed: Malmo Nighthawks 

Record: 21-27-9

Maximum points: 81

Points to clinch: N/A

Malmo has had a very similar season to Helsinki in the sense of being a great team on paper but falling short on the ice. On paper Malmo is the 5^th best team in the league, however, this season has been very tough for their offense with the 4^th least goals for. With that being said Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro has been a bright spot for Malmo with a 0.923 SV% and a 2.48 GAA. If Malmo’s offense can improve, they could make the playoffs, but this race is going to be very close between them and Helsinki with one of the contenders 100% missing the playoffs.

 

With the races as close as ever it should be very interesting to see what happens! However, if there’s one thing we can agree on it’s that the real winner here is Moscow @Spartan with either Helsinki or Malmo’s lottery pick!

[Spartan 4,002]

1 minute ago, Alex said:

However, if there’s one thing we can agree on it’s that the real winner here is Moscow @Spartan with either Helsinki or Malmo’s lottery pick!

[BOOM 8,425]

That's the secret plan. I'm in Helsinki to tank their season and help Moscow.

 

Well....it was a secret.

[BOOM 8,425]

FFS, I can't even do that right. Titans won 2 today.

[Spartan 4,002]

1 hour ago, BOOM said:

FFS, I can't even do that right. Titans won 2 today.

Dw, if you make Malmo miss the playoffs, we get their pick instead. So win away!

[BOOM 8,425]

25 minutes ago, Spartan said:

Dw, if you make Malmo miss the playoffs, we get their pick instead. So win away!