VHLM Playoffs Preview

[NotAVHLM-GM 1,858]

S66 VHLM Playoff Preview predictions

 

Philadelphia Reapers versus Minnesota Storm

 

With a late season surge the Philadelphia Reapers were able to claim the top of the league, with 6 wins in their last 6 games they were able to finish above Halifax and Ottawa with an decent margin. Minnesota on the other hand did not have to fight hard for that last playoff spot as they finished 26 points above the 9^th placed Yukon Rush. In the regular season series the teams played each other seven times and the Reapers have won them all. I do not expect an upset here and the Minnesota Storm will calm down and become a breeze as they go into the offseason.

 

Halifax 21^st versus San Diego Marlins

Not only the Reapers surpassed Ottawa, but they also lost a spot to the 21^st as Ottawa lost their last two games of the season. With just 1 point between them Halifax claimed the second seed in a direct duel. Just like the Storm the Marlins also didn’t have much competition for this spot. They got close to the Hounds, but the Storm finished 20 points below them. During their regular season encounters the Marlins managed to win twice against the 21^st, but with their recent winning ways, it will also be unlikely that they are going to be knocked out in the first round. No surprise here either as the 21^st advances to the second round.

 

Ottawa Lynx versus the Mississauga Hounds

 

For the Ottawa Lynx the regular season could not end soon enough, but it didn’t. While being in  the lead for a large margin of the time, they dropped to the 3^rd seed in the final stretch of the season. The 2 loss streak at the end of the season sealed the deal for them. This last part is also what happened to the Hounds, as due to their last two losses the Mexico City Kings had enough from their own wins to surpass the hounds and dropping them to the 6^th seed. The season series between these two teams are already a lot closer than the standings would suggest, despite the 20 point difference between them, the Hounds were able to win thrice against the Lynx, with Ottawa taking four games theirselves. This shows that Ottawa can’t cruise into this series thinking they got it sorted. This is the first of the games that I believe could go either way, the Hounds might be able to fully knock out Ottawa and sent them on holiday.

 

Saskatoon Wild versus the Mexico City Kings

 

The last two teams also had quite a margin between them. 16 points in total separates the fourth and fifth seed from eachother. With Saskatoon ending on a 2 game win streak they came close to the 2^nd and 3^rd overall spot, but nearly missed out. Mexico City in this case is definitely the best of the rest. With two points above Mississauga they ended a great end of season streak with an 8-2-0 record, only the 21^st and Reapers (with both a 9-1-0 streak) did better.  Saskatoon on the other hand, only went 5-3-2 in their last games, which is still better as Ottawa, but not as convincing as the other games. The Kings only beat the Wild once this year, but two of the six wins for the Wild came from shootouts. With their end of season form, the Kings might have what it takes to knock out the higher seeded Saskatoon players.

 

 

 

While the first round likely won’t have much surprises, the last two games definitely have an upset potential, stay tuned and watch the VHLM playoffs to find out what happens.

Words: 615 (full PT to be claimed next week)

[BladeMaiden 1,807]

Amazing insightful take of the  playoffs especially in hindsight. You psychic or just that good @Green?

Edited June 20, 2019 by BladeMaiden

[ThePerfectNut 563]

It would have been a perfect prediction if Mexico didn't have there backup goalie playing the first two games

[NotAVHLM-GM 1,858]

I just follow the stats, nothing really shocking happened right:)