A Peak At The Playoff Teams [1/2]

[Exlaxchronicles 415]

                                                                               PLAYOFF BOUND 

Let's have a look at the teams hoping to be the top at the end of the playoff's. We'll start with the fifth and fourth place teams.

 

                                                                           THE SEATTLE BEARS

 

 STRENGTHS: 

 

Their top line of Thompson, Smirnov and Kovalev carries the majority of the teams offense, with Kovalchuk and Martinov anchoring the blue line.

This is as formidable as any line in the league. The three have combined for a total of 181 goals and 209 assists which is remarkable.

The second line of Green, Shepard and Denning are solid if unspectacular. They only play about 30% of the time on ice so I would assume if they garnered more ice time they would produce more offensively.

Defensively wise the pairing of Martinov and  Kovalchuk compliment each other. Both have combined offensively for total of 42 goals and 99 assists, with Kovalchuk carrying the work load. They both can bang  and are terrific with shot blocking. 

Seattle can definitely score as they are the third highest in that department with 280 goals, so expect the same type of output in the post season.

 

WEAKNESS'S:

 

As goal scoring is a plus with the club defence on a whole is suffering. The team is fifth in the league with goals against at 254 which cancels out their offensive achievements.

Roger Sterling has struggled this season, although having a decent SV % of 0.915 his GAA is 3.40. He is a lot better then what his stats show so he shouldn't be counted out yet.

Seattle's PP hovers around 27.4 % which is solid, but having a 78.4 % at the PK doesn't help the teams cause. The Bears need to improve in this area to help bolster their chances for playoff success.

The club could stand to improve in the face off zone as well to help their odds as they sit at an all around 46 % avg in all off/def zones.

 

OUTLOOK:

 

A first round elimination in three games.

                                                                               THE RIGA REIGN

 

STRENGTHS: 

 

This is another club that is top heavy when it comes to offense, more so than the Bears. Riga's   first line of Twinger, Cast and Preencarnacion also have a potent attack. These three have contributed a total of 200 goals and 231 assists which is amazing. This line is probably the most dangerous in the league.

 

Morozov, Pajari and Ball join to make up Riga's second line. As a trio, they're average at best and probably would add to the offence more if they had more ice time. 

 

On the blue line stands the guy who's last name is a slang for a hard on and that's Boner. His line mate is McDragon and together both these players contribute an effective offensive attack. These two add even more to the clubs scoring.

 

WEAKNESS'S:

 

The Reign rely heavily on their number one line, and if the opposition can manage to shut them down through aggressive fore checking and physical play, they can be neutralized during regular and special teams play.

For what the club brings offensively, they pretty much squander their attack with lapses in their defensive game.

Riga has the third most goals against in the league with 259, which negates a lot of their scoring opportunites.

 

Goalie Arvid Aamo's season is one I'm sure he'd like to forget. Coming in at a meager 0.899 SV %/ and only a 3.55 GAA, you would think these stats came from the 1980's. Riga may be hard pressed to go far these playoffs with such an anaemic defence and goaltending.

 

Also what's surprising is that although their offensive output is high, Riga is only hovering around the 20 % mark for the PP. And with their struggling defensively, it stands to fit that the teams PK is at about 77.5 % on the kill. They need to improve on special teams play to help their chances during these playoffs.

 

Puck control is decent in the oppositions end but weak in the neutral and defensive zone. This group could be a sleeper pick if they can clean up their play without the puck.

They could improve their time in the faceoff circle as well as they hang around 50 %. Its crucial to be proficient in this area, especially when it comes to special team play.

 

OUTLOOK: 

 

First round elimination in...? five games.

We'll carry on with the other three teams in the next installment, so until then.....

Word Count: 783

 

[Jose Gonzalez 33]

JGRS Review
Information: 10/10 Holds a lot of good information dont think anyone will argue with it
Readability: 10/10 REALLY GOOD JOB HERE... explaining all the stats stats and why they are important really good

PERFECT SCORE 4th time ever