06-02-2013, 11:21 AM
Alright the West is done, and my prediciton is the Jets and Blizzard will come out of it. Now lets take a look at the East. I love the look of the east, there is a change of the old guard going on right now while the Red Wings (NHL’s Detroit) of the east stay strong. The Chiefs and Steelhawks after years of dominance are looking a possible rebuild square in the face. While the Rage are just starting to rise, and Toronto still finds a way into the playoffs and looks to be locks for the next long while too. Yet you can see West Kendall is coming out of their rebuild and you have to believe that the Wolfpack are set to become serious threats in a couple of seasons. So how was the East won…
Manhattan Rage: 28 - 16 - 3
Minnesota Chiefs: 27 - 17 - 3
Hamilton Steelhawks: 26 - 17 - 4
Toronto North Stars: 23 - 17 - 7
West Kendall Platoon: 19 - 23 - 5
New England Wolfpack: 18 - 23 - 7
While the east is far from settled and the order could likely change, I am going to base this on how the standings look right now, day 66. The Rage will play the North Stars and the Chiefs take home ice advantage over the Steelhawks.
Rage vs. North Stars
These two teams will play each other 6 times when it is all said and done, for now they have faced off 5 times through out the season. The Rage have won 4 of those 5, 3 of them in regulation and 1 of them in overtime. The lone win for the Stars was a regulation win against the Rage. Proving the Stars can beat the Rage, it is just a question of how often can they do it?
Day 8: 4 - 3 Rage
Day 9: 3 - 1 Rage
Day 14: 3 - 2 Rage
Day 46: 2 - 1 North Stars
Day 55: 3 - 1 Rage
The series story behind these two teams is they play a pretty even game with shots on net. Typically the Stars have been trailing the rage by 2 - 5 shots per game, so goaltending is going to be key. While I would have just given the series to the Rage knowing that, until the trade deadline came along and the Stars added a very good goaltender to their roster. After shots I can tell you that Toronto leads in face off percentage winning 53% of the draws. Dean Clarke alone is a factor as he is going to punish the Rage all series long twice racking up 8 hits in a game!
Stars for the Series
Rage:
David Winter - 2 stars (1st, 1st)
Jordan Nugent-Hall - 2 stars (1st, 3rd)
Josef Heiss - 2 stars (2nd, 3rd)
Meb Keflezighi - 1 star (2nd)
Daniel Passarella - 1 star (2nd)
Ivo Willems - 1 star (3rd)
North Stars:
Grigori Pajari - 1 star (1st)
Phil Schenn - 1 star (1st)
Mike Aalto - 1 star (2nd)
Robert Spezza - 1 star (2nd)
Dean Clarke - 1 star (3rd)
Benjamin Wong - 1 star (3rd)
Keys to the Series
Rage:
Josef Heiss has to be on top of his game, the Toronto Stars are just as deadly as the Rage on offense and if Heiss makes a mistake the Stars will capitalize. Getting physical, the best games for the Rage were the ones they pushed back and kept Dean Clarke under 5 hits. Go for the jugular and don’t let up, the Rage are the younger team, but they have plenty of playoff experience; they shout be able to last longer with youth on their side they should be able to wear out the stars veterans.
Stars:
Sven Andersson is a huge addition for the stars and could be a difference maker in the series, a very experienced goalie who with a championship ring, he knows how to win in the post season…something not many of the Star players are used to doing. Hit and hit and hit again, if you can get the Rage to flinch they will lose control of the puck giving the stars a huge advantage. Get an early win, nothing puts doubt into a team faster then getting a quick win on the road, if the Stars can pull this off they could build a lot of momentum.
Who to watch for:
David Winter - He has already won a championship, you better believe he would like to win more before he calls it a career.
Grigori Pajari - The leader of the Toronto offense will need to carry his team into the playoffs.
Ivo Willems - A huge addition in the off season was good, but not his usual great self, expect the great side to show up in the playoffs.
Dean Clarke - 2 games with 8 hits, if he can carry that into the playoffs and plug in a few more goals he could be a series changer on his own.
End Prediction:
Almost to close to call, as this series could really go either way…still I think the Rage have a little more of an X factor in this one I say they take it in 7 games.
- Better Goalie, Heiss is a monster in net and it is difficult to beat him.
- Better overall offense - A couple of huge additions during the off season have given the Rage arguably the best offense in the league.
- Has consistently out shot T.O. 2 or so shots aren’t much each game, over a 7 game series that is 14+ shots and should translate to an extra goal or two could be the difference.
Chiefs vs. Steelhawks
During the regular season these teams will play each other 7 times, so far they have met 6 times. During those games they have all been settled in regulation the Chiefs have won the majority with 4 wins, the hawks obviously have 2 wins. With the 7th game likely being the decider on who gets home ice advantage it will be a very important win for that team.
Day 12: 3 - 1 Chiefs
Day 15: 5 - 2 Chiefs
Day 22: 4 - 1 Hawks
Day 25: 3 - 1 Chiefs
Day 40: 5 - 2 Hawks
Day 49: 2 - 1 Chiefs
Through out the series the Chiefs were the team clearly in control of almost every game. With the exception of 1 game the Chiefs out shot their opponent every time and they had a clear advantage in the face off circle winning 56% of the time. Obviously that initial control of the puck is a huge advantage for the Chiefs as they can continue to control it after they have the puck. The second thing I saw is the Chiefs took fewer penalties then the Hawks, the Hawks were good at the penalty kill and if they can get the Chiefs into penalty trouble they were good on the power play where they one won of their games. As for hits, both team were very aggressive, there was no love lost here.
Stars of the series
Chiefs:
Jackson Turska - 2 stars (1st,1st)
Reggie Williams - 2 stars (1st, 3rd)
Nick Fisher - 2 stars (1st, 3rd)
Ja’Far Dar - 2 stars (2nd, 3rd)
Rayne Summers - 1star (2nd)
Emma Watson - 1 star (3rd)
Hamilton:
Joe Mckeil - 2 stars (1st, 2nd)
Corey Tripp - 2 stars (2nd, 3rd)
Shawn Swerin - 1 star (1st)
Roman Schultz - 1 star (2nd)
Eoghan O’Donnell - 1 star (2nd)
Cyan Winter - 1 star (3rd)
Keys to the series
Chiefs:
The Chiefs need to keep out of the box, it is the one place where the Steelhawks can really take advantage of them. Keeping hits clean, hit for hit they are pretty much on par with the hawks, and they can’t fall behind but once again keeping out of the box, no cheap shots during the playoffs. Keep on doing what they are doing, they were the more dominate team with the exception of one game, if they can keep winning draws they will out play the Hawks during the series.
Steelhawks:
Get under the Chiefs skins, one of their two wins was based solely on the fact they sent the chiefs to the penalty box 5 times and capitalized on it 3 times; they have great snipers that work well with the man advantage they need to get it somehow. Joe Mckeil, during the playoffs your best players need to step up it is time for mighty Joe to take it to another level and carry this team. Hold Williams in check, he has been the Chiefs swiss army knife, tons of hits, wins a lot of face offs, and gets a lot of points, hold Williams in check and you can beat the Chiefs.
Who to watch for:
Joe McKeil - The best player on the hawks needs to play at his best and score at every opportunity.
Reggie Williams - He has feasted on the Hawks this season, it is fair to think he will do the same in the playoffs.
Kevin Lebacon - The elite defender has been relatively quite against the Chiefs so far, I expect a big breakout from him in game 1 or 2.
Brandon Swayer - if you want to talk about a playoff performer just watch him go.
End Prediciton:
Chiefs in 5, they are all going to be close games on the score board, but I think the Chiefs have too much fire power and a proven goalie in Swayer to lose this series or even many games. If anything the regular season shows this is going to be right.
- Better offense, They are as good as the Hawks before they traded all their veteran players
- Playoff Goalie, been here before and knows what is needed to get it done
- Motivation, they know this is an important season as many players are retiring
Manhattan Rage: 28 - 16 - 3
Minnesota Chiefs: 27 - 17 - 3
Hamilton Steelhawks: 26 - 17 - 4
Toronto North Stars: 23 - 17 - 7
West Kendall Platoon: 19 - 23 - 5
New England Wolfpack: 18 - 23 - 7
While the east is far from settled and the order could likely change, I am going to base this on how the standings look right now, day 66. The Rage will play the North Stars and the Chiefs take home ice advantage over the Steelhawks.
Rage vs. North Stars
These two teams will play each other 6 times when it is all said and done, for now they have faced off 5 times through out the season. The Rage have won 4 of those 5, 3 of them in regulation and 1 of them in overtime. The lone win for the Stars was a regulation win against the Rage. Proving the Stars can beat the Rage, it is just a question of how often can they do it?
Day 8: 4 - 3 Rage
Day 9: 3 - 1 Rage
Day 14: 3 - 2 Rage
Day 46: 2 - 1 North Stars
Day 55: 3 - 1 Rage
The series story behind these two teams is they play a pretty even game with shots on net. Typically the Stars have been trailing the rage by 2 - 5 shots per game, so goaltending is going to be key. While I would have just given the series to the Rage knowing that, until the trade deadline came along and the Stars added a very good goaltender to their roster. After shots I can tell you that Toronto leads in face off percentage winning 53% of the draws. Dean Clarke alone is a factor as he is going to punish the Rage all series long twice racking up 8 hits in a game!
Stars for the Series
Rage:
David Winter - 2 stars (1st, 1st)
Jordan Nugent-Hall - 2 stars (1st, 3rd)
Josef Heiss - 2 stars (2nd, 3rd)
Meb Keflezighi - 1 star (2nd)
Daniel Passarella - 1 star (2nd)
Ivo Willems - 1 star (3rd)
North Stars:
Grigori Pajari - 1 star (1st)
Phil Schenn - 1 star (1st)
Mike Aalto - 1 star (2nd)
Robert Spezza - 1 star (2nd)
Dean Clarke - 1 star (3rd)
Benjamin Wong - 1 star (3rd)
Keys to the Series
Rage:
Josef Heiss has to be on top of his game, the Toronto Stars are just as deadly as the Rage on offense and if Heiss makes a mistake the Stars will capitalize. Getting physical, the best games for the Rage were the ones they pushed back and kept Dean Clarke under 5 hits. Go for the jugular and don’t let up, the Rage are the younger team, but they have plenty of playoff experience; they shout be able to last longer with youth on their side they should be able to wear out the stars veterans.
Stars:
Sven Andersson is a huge addition for the stars and could be a difference maker in the series, a very experienced goalie who with a championship ring, he knows how to win in the post season…something not many of the Star players are used to doing. Hit and hit and hit again, if you can get the Rage to flinch they will lose control of the puck giving the stars a huge advantage. Get an early win, nothing puts doubt into a team faster then getting a quick win on the road, if the Stars can pull this off they could build a lot of momentum.
Who to watch for:
David Winter - He has already won a championship, you better believe he would like to win more before he calls it a career.
Grigori Pajari - The leader of the Toronto offense will need to carry his team into the playoffs.
Ivo Willems - A huge addition in the off season was good, but not his usual great self, expect the great side to show up in the playoffs.
Dean Clarke - 2 games with 8 hits, if he can carry that into the playoffs and plug in a few more goals he could be a series changer on his own.
End Prediction:
Almost to close to call, as this series could really go either way…still I think the Rage have a little more of an X factor in this one I say they take it in 7 games.
- Better Goalie, Heiss is a monster in net and it is difficult to beat him.
- Better overall offense - A couple of huge additions during the off season have given the Rage arguably the best offense in the league.
- Has consistently out shot T.O. 2 or so shots aren’t much each game, over a 7 game series that is 14+ shots and should translate to an extra goal or two could be the difference.
Chiefs vs. Steelhawks
During the regular season these teams will play each other 7 times, so far they have met 6 times. During those games they have all been settled in regulation the Chiefs have won the majority with 4 wins, the hawks obviously have 2 wins. With the 7th game likely being the decider on who gets home ice advantage it will be a very important win for that team.
Day 12: 3 - 1 Chiefs
Day 15: 5 - 2 Chiefs
Day 22: 4 - 1 Hawks
Day 25: 3 - 1 Chiefs
Day 40: 5 - 2 Hawks
Day 49: 2 - 1 Chiefs
Through out the series the Chiefs were the team clearly in control of almost every game. With the exception of 1 game the Chiefs out shot their opponent every time and they had a clear advantage in the face off circle winning 56% of the time. Obviously that initial control of the puck is a huge advantage for the Chiefs as they can continue to control it after they have the puck. The second thing I saw is the Chiefs took fewer penalties then the Hawks, the Hawks were good at the penalty kill and if they can get the Chiefs into penalty trouble they were good on the power play where they one won of their games. As for hits, both team were very aggressive, there was no love lost here.
Stars of the series
Chiefs:
Jackson Turska - 2 stars (1st,1st)
Reggie Williams - 2 stars (1st, 3rd)
Nick Fisher - 2 stars (1st, 3rd)
Ja’Far Dar - 2 stars (2nd, 3rd)
Rayne Summers - 1star (2nd)
Emma Watson - 1 star (3rd)
Hamilton:
Joe Mckeil - 2 stars (1st, 2nd)
Corey Tripp - 2 stars (2nd, 3rd)
Shawn Swerin - 1 star (1st)
Roman Schultz - 1 star (2nd)
Eoghan O’Donnell - 1 star (2nd)
Cyan Winter - 1 star (3rd)
Keys to the series
Chiefs:
The Chiefs need to keep out of the box, it is the one place where the Steelhawks can really take advantage of them. Keeping hits clean, hit for hit they are pretty much on par with the hawks, and they can’t fall behind but once again keeping out of the box, no cheap shots during the playoffs. Keep on doing what they are doing, they were the more dominate team with the exception of one game, if they can keep winning draws they will out play the Hawks during the series.
Steelhawks:
Get under the Chiefs skins, one of their two wins was based solely on the fact they sent the chiefs to the penalty box 5 times and capitalized on it 3 times; they have great snipers that work well with the man advantage they need to get it somehow. Joe Mckeil, during the playoffs your best players need to step up it is time for mighty Joe to take it to another level and carry this team. Hold Williams in check, he has been the Chiefs swiss army knife, tons of hits, wins a lot of face offs, and gets a lot of points, hold Williams in check and you can beat the Chiefs.
Who to watch for:
Joe McKeil - The best player on the hawks needs to play at his best and score at every opportunity.
Reggie Williams - He has feasted on the Hawks this season, it is fair to think he will do the same in the playoffs.
Kevin Lebacon - The elite defender has been relatively quite against the Chiefs so far, I expect a big breakout from him in game 1 or 2.
Brandon Swayer - if you want to talk about a playoff performer just watch him go.
End Prediciton:
Chiefs in 5, they are all going to be close games on the score board, but I think the Chiefs have too much fire power and a proven goalie in Swayer to lose this series or even many games. If anything the regular season shows this is going to be right.
- Better offense, They are as good as the Hawks before they traded all their veteran players
- Playoff Goalie, been here before and knows what is needed to get it done
- Motivation, they know this is an important season as many players are retiring
- 
series.