Playoff Previews: First Round RIG/MAL

[FrostBeard 1,975]

Playoff Previews: First Round
Riga Reign v. Malmo Nighthawks
 
We are here, playoffs, yes, a day late for this post, but who cares? We have a brilliant matchup between Riga Reign, probably the most consistent playoff team in the recent history and Malmo Nighthawks, a team that shocked many when they went to the Cup finals last season.
 

Road to the playoffs
 
When we compare each of the teams, it is clear that even though in standings they were quite far apart, in reality, it is not so. Riga Reign having 16 more points at the end of the season could be a sign that the competition between teams will be low and Riga will just dominate the series, but with Riga winning only 5 out of 9 games they faced Malmo it could also mean that Riga just doesn’t have the mindset to be dominant against Nighthawks, especially considering that Riga had one of those five wins in overtimes. Yes, Riga seems like a better team overall, with the best defensive game this season in all VHL while Malmo was a true middle of the pack team. So - who will send their opponents to an early off-season? Will it be Riga Reign or will Malmo upset them again?
 
 
Why the Riga Reign should win?
 
Riga Reign is just too good. Compared to other European Conference teams, Riga was better in almost every category, they finished first, had the best goals-for/goals-against differential and they had an immensely talented and experienced group of players. With Riga, we are looking at the team that has the best goaltender this regular season, it quite noteworthy if we think about it. Previous best goaltender and probably the most disappointing goalie last season, Kallis Kriketers, has been showing shades of his youth and this season stormed VHL with his HoF worthy numbers all across the board. Compare that to Johnson on Malmo and you understand that in reality, unless Malmo can make Johnson become a true playoff beast, there is no chance that Kallis will lose this duel. With four 30 goalscorers, Riga shows their depth and unselfishness that is quite rare on this level of play. Both Elias Dahlberg and Rauno Palo were point-per-game, with both shooting over 350 shots a game. Add that to the fact that both of them play on the same line and you have a true winner. Again, if you compare that straight up to Malmo, you see only one player with 30 goals and not a single player that is over PPG. Unless both of their recent acquisitions in Jake Davis and Joseph McWolf will step up big time, I predict that Malmo will be the team to go home early.. Yes, Riga does play a lot less physical  hockey than their 1st round matchup and that is a factor, but I find it too insignificant to really mention it.  
 

For me personally, I would give Riga no more than 6 games to clinch the next round. It will surely be a tough match-p. European powerhouse vs European youngling who is there to show these old dogs who is the boss! Tell us what you think will win this series!
 

People mentioned - @hedgehog337, @jRuutu @Nykonax @McWolf @Josh and @fonziGG

 

Chief Editor of VSN FrostBeard

[jRuutu 2,314]

Kallis is dreamy