VSN Presents: S91 VHL Playoff Preview

[Alex 3,248]

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. Also, sorry about the delay, I had a crazy weekend followed up by some personal stuff. Stay tuned for our way too early offseason preview coming soon!

 

S91 VHLM Power Rankings: Playoff Edition! | S91 Season Review and Final Prediction | S91 VHLE Playoff Preview

 

Conference Semi-Finals

 

 Toronto (2) vs. Chicago (3) 

 

Chicago’s miracle run this season will likely come to an end as they come up against one of if not the best North American team in the first round of the playoffs. In the regular season the two teams split the season series with 3 wins a piece as Chicago won the 1st three, and Toronto the 2nd three. If Chicago is to stand a chance here, they will need two things to happen, Scotty Sundin @fromtheinside will have to continue their MVP caliber season, and Ryan Artyomov @Enorama will need to step up in a big way to shut down the high-octane Toronto offense. This series is Toronto’s to lose, Chicago may steal a game, but it should be a quick one.

 

Prediction: Toronto in 4

VSN vote: TOR 7, CHI 1

 

 Los Angeles (1) vs. D.C. (4) 

 

D.C. had a weird season, with the majority of their play falling off from the previous season. However, that doesn’t mean that we can count them out as that elite offense is still there and if anything should be improved. This series could be a offensive battle as both teams have great offenses and lackluster goaltending or defense. D.C.’s offense largely comes from The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath and Jason @Jason kranz, whereas Los Angeles had three 100+ point scorers this season with Sunglasses Joyo @JetsGoalie101, Todd Cooke @KRZY, and Larry Abass Jr. @RileyL. We can expect this series to be a bit tighter than the other NA matchup, but the top seeded team should still come out on top.

 

Prediction: Los Angeles in 6

VSN vote: LAS 7, DCD 1

 

 Riga (2) vs. London (3) 

 

This first of the two EU series is very much Riga’s offense taking on London’s defense. More Specifically the focus will be on AK92 Wit da Hoodie @hedgehog337 and Molly The Cat @JCarson as both players will likely play a major role in this series and could tilt it either direction. The biggest difference maker in this series could very well be Henry Tucker Jr. @NSG who is coming off of a very good regular season and if they can carry that play into the playoffs, they could potentially help Riga get past a tough London Team. In the regular season it was all London as they went 4-1, we have something similar happening here as London potentially pulls off a bit of an upset.

 

Prediction: London in 7

VSN vote: LDN 5, RIG 3

 

 Davos (1) vs. Helsinki (5) 

 

Potentially the most awaited series of the first round sees the Victory Cup winning Davos Dynamo taking on the Helsinki Titans, the league’s best team on paper. While Helsinki did barely squeak into the playoffs, they proved that they deserve to be here in a tight wildcard series, and they do have the best roster in the league on paper, led by Daryl Dixon @Ricer13, and Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877, Helsinki’s high-powered offense is ridiculous, however it does fall off a bit after those two. They’ll be tasked with taking on Lachlan Summers @kirbithan, who is coming off of another great season. Helsinki came out on top in the regular season winning the first 4 of the six matchups. This series could be a very close one, but we have Davos and their depth just edging out Helsinki here.

 

Prediction: Davos in 7

VSN vote: DAV 3, HSK 2

 

Conference Finals

 

 Los Angeles (1) vs. Toronto (2) 

 

Last season these two teams matched up in the conference finals and we’re predicting that it will happen again, last season LA took the win in 7. The main difference between last season and this one is that both team’s top defensemen retired. Which has left the LA blueline a bit lackluster, this will put the pressure on Elias Lampi @Pifferfish to help out Art Vandelay @Gustav in shutting down Toronto’s offense, which is led by Mac Atlas @v.2 and Jimi Jaks @ke1vi, who are both coming off of their best career seasons. With that being said, LA does have an edge offensively with Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher, Todd Cooke, and Sunglasses Joyo. Toronto’s defense may be up to the task here, but they will need Joel Castle @animal74 to step up and shut down LA’s elite offense. We have Toronto just taking the series this season.

 

Prediction: Toronto in 6

VSN vote: TOR 5, LAS 3

 

 Davos (1) vs. London (3) 

 

Possibly the most tame rivalry in recent VHL history, Davos and London have met in 2 of the 3 previous playoffs, with each team coming out on top once. As usual these series have always been a goaltending battle between the two top goalies in the league with Jesse Teno @aimkin and Lachlan Summers. With the focus being on goaltenders, whichever team is able to capitalize on their chances will likely come out on top here. This should be a nail biter of a series that could go either way. We have Davos just taking this one due to them having a slightly better top end of their forward group.

 

Prediction: Davos in 7

VSN vote: DAV 5, LDN 3

 

Continental Cup Finals

 

 Davos (1) vs. Toronto (2) 

 

For some reason it has felt like this series was due all season, in the regular season it was all Davos with them winning 3 of the 4 games. On paper, this should be a very close series, and this series could very well come down to each team's depth. The one area where Toronto has the edge on Davos is their offensive depth, as every forward on the roster had at least 45 points, which is honestly quite impressive. For Davos they’ll likely be leaning heavily on Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg as they have all season, and if Toronto can keep the MVP candidate at bay this series could be theirs for the taking. Realistically this series is a toss up, we’ve got Toronto just barely winning this one and claiming their first Continental Cup since S65.

 

Prediction: Toronto in 7

VSN vote: TOR 6, DAV 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.

Edited December 12, 2023 by Alex

[v.2 1,412]

VSN picked the right winner!! Wow!!! 

[Victor 11,021]

Something about broken clocks