Playoff Predictions

Hello all. I am not known as a media guy, but with the playoffs starting this weekend I figured id contribute my thoughts and opinions.

Starting off with the Western Conference

(1) Bakersfield Condors Record: 58-19-5 vs (8) Colorado Eagles Record: 47-29-6

First and foremost congrats to the Condors on winning the President's Trophy. Looking into this series it seems pretty lopsided. Bakersfield's management group is back in the postseason with a majority of their core from last season's Calder winning group and these guys are looking to go B2B. Colorado's roster on the other hand is interesting. The "Vision" line had played well all season and they got enough chem and skill to give whatever lines they play a run for their money. The big question for me is can the depth on Colorado keep up with the depth on Bakersfield's top 2 lines? In my opinion, most likely not.

Key Factors
- Depth on the Condors, playoff experience
- Vision Line

Prediction: in 5

(2) Texas Stars Record: 50-22-10 vs (7) Manitoba Moose Record: 46-27-9

If I didn't know any better I'd say Texas takes this series in 5. Josh and Frostic team up again after a short time apart. Texas has a pretty deep roster from top to bottom. They struggled early on this season but figured it out and turned into one of the better teams in the West. Taking a look at the Moose, they have a really good top line, a very strong tandem in net, and not to mention the self-appointed best 2way center in the AHL TITO. Squadcav and company have a history of upsetting teams like this in the playoffs, but I'm not sure they can continue that trend this season.

Key Factors
- Team Defense
- Strong Goaltending

Prediction: in 6

(3) Henderson Silver Knights Record: 54-25-3 vs (6) San Jose Barracuda Record: 48-28-6

They say defense wins championships, and that's what Henderson does best. This season despite their terrible start, the Knights finished 2nd in g/a. On top of that, they have some offensive weapons in the Flames, Pablo, and Fluffy trio. Now can that trio outperform the Cuda trio of Shieldzyy, Pelley, and Bobby offensively? In my opinion, probably not. Especially with the offensive support Perf brings to the cuda. Where I think Henderson will find their most success at advancing is by continuing the defense they have shown the league throughout the season.

Key Factors
- Team Defense, Goaltending
- Offensive Firepower

Prediction: in 6

(4) Rockford IceHogs Record: 49-24-9 vs (5) Abbotsford Canucks Record: 48-28-6

This series is a real toss-up for me. Both of these teams are well-rounded from top to bottom and the winner can absolutely make their playoff run a long one. The deciding factor for me in this series is goaltending. Abbotsford has two great goalies in svg 11 and loxies, Rockford though has arguably the best goalie in the league that can steal games himself. I am going to give the edge to Abbotsford in this series due to their offensive weapons, but it would not surprise me one bit if Rockford comes out victorious and make a run.

Key Factors
- LeBl0nde
- Offensive Capabilities

Prediction: in 7

Now onto the Eastern Conference matchups.

(1) Belleville Senators Record: 56-18-8 vs (8) Grand Rapids Griffons Record: 43-31-8

Not gonna harp on this one for too long since it's my team, but this series has the potential to go the distance. GRG has guys such as mangoz, hoopla, schreiny, and machwien that can give them the goal support needed to make this a series. Looking at Belleville from a statistical standpoint, we can score goals and we don't allow many goals as we ended 1st in g/a and 3rd in GD


Key Factors
- Depth scoring, team defense
- Goaltending, Offensive potential

Prediction: in 5

(2) Chicago Wolves Record: 57-20-5 vs (7) Syracuse Crunch Record: 46-29-7

This series is going to be very interesting. Both of these teams scored as if their lives depended on it during the regular season, and I feel it's going to be the same story in the playoffs. As obvious as this sounds, its gonna come down to what team plays better defense. With that being said, Deke and the boys in Chicago have guys that can outscore any team 9/10 times. Also, good luck scoring on the best 6'7 DD in the AHL Syracuse.

Key Factors
- Chemistry and Depth
- Offensive Instincts, team defense

Prediction: in 5

(3) Utica Comets Record: 51-24-7 vs (6) Laval Rockets Record: 45-24-13

Eamon resurrected his team from the dead after some unfortunate team drama and turned the ship around for a mid-season playoff berth. The question now is can Eamon continue this success he found during the 2nd half of the season into playoffs? I'd say so, but Chi and the Utica boys have themselves a deep roster and this series is going to be a fight until the end. The difference maker here comes down to the Utica tendies continuing the great play they had maintained during the regular season. Laval has the weapons up front to make these goalies work on Utica. In that scenario, Utica just needs to get to g7 and its wraps for Eamon.

Key Factors
- Goaltending
- Offensive threats

Prediction: in 6

(4) WBS Penguins Record: 49-26-7 vs (5) Lehigh Valley Phantoms Record: 48-26-8

Last but not least we have WBS vs Lehigh. WBS have themselves a strong core of guys and started getting the latter half of the season. Lehigh also has a solid all-around roster, but a hefty amount of them came around deadline week. The main takeaway for me is the GD between the two teams. The Phantoms are at only +15 going against WBS at +65. Ultimately this series does have the potential to go a whole 7.Can WBS continue their good play and can Lehigh tighten up defensively? Only time will tell.

Key Factors
- Chem, Offensive Capabilities
- Top Players showing up

Prediction: in 7

I appreciate you all taking the time to read this and good luck to those this postseason.

 

big media guy eh

 

good write-up!!

 

Not reading all this but good for you, or sorry for your loss i guess, whatever happened

 

Bro really just commented on a media post to tell everyone he’s not reading it

 

Great job kookzy, thanks for the read

 

Great write-up Kookz!

@BigJay x89 you better show up!!

 

Great read! Griffins in 4!

 

Belleville for the CUP. Big tipper time !!

 

Nicely done koooookz!!!

Shame I just inished smacking Texas 7-3 ill probably jusy keep rolling on them round 1 too. MOOSE IN 6

 

We dit put 6 goals on the what’s called best 6’7 DD lol. Good luck everybody in the ploffs

 

Naw, he's just a short media guy

 

Won’t happen again cutie, I was drunk and on hotel WiFi. Buckle up your chin strap for playoffs.

 

Do your homework!!! @Kookzyy

 

@Kookzyy this writeup is a kiss of death.. no one writes about themselves unless you’re @DailyDietCoke

 

Bin Oui Kookzy!

 

Excuses, excuses. Don’t play next time

 

nobody else worth writing about

 

Well some of these takes took a bad turn lmaooo
Love you @Kookzyy

 

is what it is. good win tito