With the playoffs right around the corner, let's take a look at the league's top three teams in points and how they matchup with their first round foes.

Baltimore Platoon vs. New England Wolfpack

Baltimore Platoon (109 points)

• Division - 1st
  
• Conference - 1st
  
• League - 1st
  

MVP - LW Ethan Duncan: +51, 90 points (40 goals, 50 assists), 1 block, 88 hits
Unsung Hero - RW Mew Two: +54, 47 points (16 goals, 31 assists), 24 blocks, 49 hits

Baltimore was straight up dominant this season.  They finished the year with the most points in the league, the biggest goal differential, the most goals, the most home wins, and tied-for-the most road wins.  There's simply nothing that they don't absolutely excel at.  They were even undefeated in the sometimes luck-driven shootouts, going a perfect 4-0 in those games.  They were the only team to hit 50 regular and overtime wins and enter the postseason as the favorite to win the Challenge Cup.  Their offense is absolutely loaded thanks to the incredible trio of Daniil Nikiforov (93 points), Ethan Duncan (90 points), and Ryu Jones (82), and have been lighting up the goal siren on a regular basis.   Nikiforov and Duncan are first and second in the league in points, while Jones is no slouch at all at 7th overall.  You have to play almost perfect defense against that high-powered attack and even then, you simply cannot stop them.  You have to hope to just slow them down enough to keep your team in the game.  And while their offense has certainly taken the league by storm this season, don't forget about their defense.  They allowed the 3rd fewest goals in the league and force opponents to be on their A-game to put up a crooked number in the score column. Jasper Maximov and Adam Barron are two of the best complementary defensemen in the league and lead the way for Baltimore. Maximov has 128 blocks and 54 hits and is as good of a pure defenseman as you'll find in the league.  Barron on the other hand, flies up the ice to help out on offense and finished the year with 56 points.  No matter how good your forwards are, you have to constantly keep an eye on that duo or else they'll quickly squash your scoring opportunity and turn it into a goal on the other end of the ice.  In the net, they're led by starter Luca Del Vecchio who logged 41 wins on the season and posted a .910 save percentage. LDV is one of the premier goalies in the league and on the off-chance you get a good shot past the Platoon defense, good luck sneaking it past Del Vecchio. And when LDV takes a rare night off, the net play barely takes a step back.  Backup Sergei Potvinov has an undefeated record (13-0) and has certainly benefitted from the tutelage of Luca.

What will it take for Baltimore to win the Challenge Cup?

• They're the favorites to take home the Cup, so if they just play their style of hockey they will make a deep run this postseason.  Their offense is so strong that they will likely obliterate their opponents to start off the first two rounds which will pave the way for one last hurdle before they can take on the Cup.  If their three-headed offensive monster plays even close to how well they did in the regular season, Baltimore will take home the championship this season.  Just an unreal set of forwards for the Platoon. 
  

What's the biggest obstacle standing in Baltimore's way?

• It's hard to call it an obstacle, but I guess if I was forced to pick one obstacle or weakness, it might be their defense.  Yes, they finished third in the league in goals allowed, but that's the only sliver of mortality they've shown this season. If you're going to beat Baltimore, you have to score early and often. Their forwards will get theirs, but you just have to hope you can thread the needle against their defense and build a big lead early in the game.  It'll be tough work for anyone to knock them out.
  

Biggest advantage in the first round?

• Their entire roster. I don't mean that as a slight against New England, but Baltimore is just too good across the board.  Their first, second, and third line players are all elite and will give the Wolfpack fits the second the puck drops.  Their scoring will likely start early against New England which could be enough to wrap up the first round in quick fashion.  If there was a lock this playoffs, it's that the Platoon will advance in the opening round.  It has less to do with New England and more to do with the fact that Baltimore has been incredible all season long.  
  

New England Wolfpack (44 points)

• Division - 4th
  
• Conference - 8th
  
• League - 16th
  

MVP - LW Jakub Bruchevski: -39, 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists), 104 blocks, 122 hits
Unsung Hero - C Jonathan Granstrom: -21, 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists), 136 blocks, 150 hits

While the Wolfpack may not have had the season they hoped from a points-perspective, they find themselves in the postseason with a chance to shock the entire galaxy with their first round matchup with the Baltimore Platoon.  They were led on offense by a pair of veteran forwards who both put forward strong seasons here in S63.  Jakub Bruchevski and Ethan Price combined for 94 points thanks to 42 goals and 52 assists, were both dedicated defenders, as well.  This pair helped drive the offense and more than pitched in on the defensive end with a combined 167 blocks and 171 hits. The Wolfpack also had an impressive four skaters who has at least a 12% shooting percentage and double digit goals.  On the defensive end, they had six players pass the century mark in blocks and routinely made things as difficult as possible for the other team to light the goal horn. And while Leo Bloomfield's record was a result of the overall team strength (18 wins, 32 losses, 4 OTL), his save percentage was eye-opening across the league. Bloomfield finished with a .910 save percentage and registered an impressive five shutouts.  Leo stood on his head on a regular basis this season and could be the best chance New England has if they want to make some serious noise in their series against Baltimore.  And let's give a quick shoutout to RD Golden Face, who appeared in 71 games this season thanks to a midseason trade.  Face also led the team in plus/minus (+4) and had an even 42 blocks to accompany their 42 hits.  While seemingly nobody will be picking the Wolfpack to win in the opener, they have the pieces to do everything they can to stand tall in the face of Baltimore.  Lastly, keep an eye on two-way star Jonny Tsunami.  Tsunami can get as hot as anyone as far as goal scoring goes and they're one of the preeminent shot-blocking forwards in the entire league.  If Jonny gets on a roll, things could get interesting.
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What will it take for New England to win the Challenge Cup?

• A miracle.  I can hear the boos coming from Wolfpack Nation, but I have to call it like I see it.  I'm not sure New England can even keep this series close and anything other than a sweep for Baltimore should be seen as a New England victory.  They need to play their best games, make no mistakes, and hope that Baltimore either gets incredibly unlucky or has a weeklong stretch of the worst hockey they've played in years.  I just don't see it happening for the Wolfpack this series.
  

What's the biggest obstacle standing in New England's way?

• Their lack of overall talent.  Harsh, I know, but it's nothing against the players on the Wolfpack, it's just a numbers game.  They just don't have the horses to keep up with Baltimore in a series.  Can they win a game? Absolutely. But I just don't think this is going to be a competitive series.  I tip my cap to the Wolfpack franchise for hunkering down and locking up a playoff berth this season.  It will likely be a short stay, however.
  

Biggest advantage in the first round?

• It may not be a raw advantage of Baltimore and Luca Del Vecchio, but Leo Bloomfield has the ability to absolutely take over a game.  He's constantly been keeping the Wolfpack in games this year and that's an area they need to rely on.  Leo will have to play his best goaltending of his career and then some.  Can he do it? Absolutely.  No matter what happens in this series, Bloomfield will make it difficult for Baltimore to score.  A true professional, Bloomfield will not back down from this virtually insurmountable challenge.
  

Hamilton Steelhawks vs. Philadelphia Forge

Hamilton Steelhawks (103 points)

• Division - 1st
  
• Conference - 2nd
  
• League - 2nd
  

MVP - C Rikard Hammarberg: +40, 86 points (32 goals, 54 assists), 12 blocks, 86 hits
Unsung Hero - RD Luc-Pierre Lespineau-Lebrunette: +57, 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists), 59 blocks, 70 hits

Hamilton ran away with the North East Division, winning the crown by 20 points over the second place Buffalo Stampede.  It was a true all-around effort by the Steelhawks, who finished 2nd in the entire league in both goals scored and goals allowed.  On offense, they were led by a pair of 80+ point skaters in Rikard Hammarberg and Mitchell van der Heijden, and Aaron Wilson whose 33 goals led the team.  Guy O'Shea made his presence known on the defensive end with his second consecutive season posting 100+ blocks and 100+ hits and was a nightmare for opposing forwards.   But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the elite goalies who helped Hamilton finish second in the league in points - A. Jobin and Walrus Walrus.  Jobin led the league in shutouts, posted an astounding 40 wins, and had the best goals against average of starting goalies.  When the GOAT himself was off the ice, Walrus Walrus did more than just fill-in.  The Tuskman posted 10 wins and a pair of shutouts, proving that Hamilton's pair of net men are among the best in the entire league.   Overall, while it's true that the Steelhawks were led by the handful of MVP caliber players listed above, what separated them from the rest of the league was their depth.  Hamilton had five players score 20+ goals, seven players log 30+ assists, and had a quartet of players with 100+ hits. When one player on the Steelhawks has an off night, you can be assured that the rest of the team will carry the load and make up whatever ground is lost.  In order to beat the Steelhawks on a consistent basis, you need more than an elite roster on your side - you need a good bit of luck as well.  Because Hamilton proved yet again that from top to bottom, they have one of the best rosters in the league and have all the pieces to make a run at the Cup.  Offense, defense, goalkeeping, coaching, you name it. 

What will it take for Hamilton to win the Challenge Cup?

• All Hamilton needs to do to take home the Cup is continue to play their brand of hockey. When they're playing well, they're incredibly hard to beat and are certainly one of the favorites to take home the title.  They've got the offensive firepower, the defensive prowess, and the veteran playoff experience needed for another deep postseason run. 
  

What's the biggest obstacle standing in Hamilton's way?

• The Steelhawks are one of the least experienced teams this year when it comes to shootouts.  They're only 1-2 this year and have been more than shaky.  If one of the early round games goes past overtime, it could be a prelude to an early round exit for the Steelhawks.  There's been some talk of a shootout curse going on which has led to some players burning sage and incense to cleanse the rink of any bad vibes.  We'll see what happens if overtime ends in a draw...
  

Biggest advantage in the first round? 

•  On paper, Hamilton looks like the clear favorite over Philadelphia, but the Forge will certainly make it difficult for the Steelhawks.  The combination of deep offense and experienced defense give the North East Division champions a leg up over the Forge.  Look for the Steelhawks to lean hard on their forwards to put games out of reach early.  I'm not sure if the Forge have the firepower to keep up with the high-flying Hamilton offense.
  

Philadelphia Forge (78 points)

• Division - 4th
  
• Conference - 7th
  
• League - 12th
  

MVP - LW Kaarlo Kekkonen: +23, 71 points (21 goals, 50 assists), 67 blocks, 58 hits
Unsung Hero - LD Adam Friedland: +30, 34 points (10 points, 24 assists), 112 blocks, 112 hits

The Forge have increased their point total every season and finished this year with a team-high 78 points.  They're clearly on an upward trajectory which is a testament to their management, their roster, and their entire fanbase.  This season, they were led by four elite forwards who each racked up at least 50 points: Kaarlo Kekkonen (71 points), First-Name Last-Name (68 points), Igor Victory (60 points), and Patrick Shepherd (54 points). The Forge's fearsome foursome has been dynamite for them all season and are one of the main reasons for Philly's increasing success since their founding.  It's not just about the offense, though.   Philadelphia's defense has more than carried their own weight.  They have three defenders with 100+ blocks, forcing opponents to score in the tightest of windows.  Between Samuel Michaud (141 blocks), Adam Friedland (112 blocks), and Nathan Thomas (101 blocks), the Forge are one of the preeminent teams in terms of deflecting shots and sacrificing their bodies to keep the other team off the scoreboard. In the net, they roll out Scoochie Stratton who has been among the league's best this season. Boasting a .913 save percentage, Stratton has established themselves as one of the most consistent goaltenders in the game.  Whether it's their quick reflexes, incredible flexibility, or overall mental fortitude, the Forge are certainly well represented in the net.  Can the new kids on the block make a deep run this season?  They certainly have the pieces to surprise some folks in the playoffs and have enough experience throughout their roster to potentially shock the world.

What will it take for Philadelphia to win the Challenge Cup?

• I won't sugarcoat this - the Forge are massive underdogs.  They won't be favored in any of the rounds this postseason, but that's the way the Forge like it.  They need to embrace their inner underdog and not let the game get too big.  Just focus on every period, every whistle, and every game.  When they get good looks on the net, they absolutely have to convert.  If they do that, they can play spoiler.
  

What's the biggest obstacle standing in Philadelphia's way?

• Right now it's the Hamilton Steelhawks.  Philadelphia is facing off with one of the most successful franchises in recent memory and it will take the best set of games Philly has played all season to win.  I'm not trying to sound too down on the Forge, but this is more than just a bump in the road ahead of them.  It's the Grand Canyon.  They've got the players to get it done, but they have to play virtually mistake free to have a chance.
  

Biggest advantage in the first round?

• I feel like I'm just giving the Forge nothing but bulletin board material, but I don't see any raw advantages they have right now as they head into their matchup with the Steelhawks.  One area they do have the edge is with expectations.  Virtually everyone expected Hamilton to make a run at the Cup this season.  That's not the case for the Forge.  They can play loose knowing that they've taken another positive step for this franchise.  Will the Steelhawks succumb to the pressure?  That's something to keep an eye on in the early games.
  

Texas Renegades vs. Edmonton Blizzard

Texas Renegades (100 points)

• Division - 1st
  
• Conference - 1st
  
• League - 3rd
  

MVP - LW Burlok Sulfurgold: +47, 83 points (47 goals, 36 assists), 37 blocks, 70 hits
Unsung Hero - LD Joseph Fantobens: +31, 21 points (9 goals, 12 assists), 76 blocks, 329 hits

Texas finished the season with an even 100 points and did it with a deadly combination of lockdown defense and efficient offense. The Renegade defense rose to the occasion this season as they led the entire league in goals allowed and finished with 15 fewer goals allowed than the second place team. They're led on that side of the ice by one of the most diverse groups of defensemen in the league.  Adam Scianna, Bjorn Leppanen, and Mikkel Asmus Sondergard all finished with at least 43 points and were absolutely deadly on the counterattack.  Combine them with the hard hitting Joseph Fantobens and his 329 hits and the two-way stars in Andreas Kvalheim and Eric Hudson and it's easy to see why the Renegade defense was essentially a stone wall.  On offense, they're one of the deepest teams in all of hockey with an astounding six players with 60+ points. Burlok Sulfurgold (83 points), Alexander Wachter (66 points), Eric Hudson (65 points), Lemo Pihl (64 points), Theo Kondos (63 points), and Edward Williams (62 points) are all threats not only to set up the offense, but to find the back of the net.  It's that level of depth on offense that makes Texas such a difficult matchup for so many teams.  If you're lucky enough to shut down Sulfurgold and Wachter, you have to keep an eye on Hudson and Pihl.  Bottle those up and you still have Kondos and Williams to deal with.  Each of those players has MVP-level ability and can frustrate defensemen from the first whistle onwards.  In the net for Texas, it's more of the same as far as excellence goes. Cillian Kavanagh is the starter for Texas and has been lights-out all season. Kavanaugh is second among starting goalies in save percentage (.924), second in goals against average (1.92), and third in shutouts (7).  Kavanaugh's backup is not to be trifled with, either. Edward Teach boasts a miniscule 1.40 goals against average and has not lost a game in regulation this year.  No matter how you analyze this Renegades roster, one thing is clear: they're elite.  They hardly give up goals, they have a half-dozen players who can take over the game on offense, and they have some of the best chemistry among their linemates in the league. Godspeed to their first round opponent.

What will it take for Texas to win the Challenge Cup?

• More of the same from Kavanaugh in net and timely scoring and they can celebrate the title come season's end.  Their defense is so stingy that if they can muster even a few goals each game, it could be ballgame for their opponents.  If Texas gets out to a multi-goal lead in any of their games, you can just about call the game at that point.  They're virtually impossible to consistently score on, especially if they fall back into a lead-protecting defensive mode.  It may not always be pretty, but damn if this Texas squad isn't built to take home the championship this season. 
  

What's the biggest obstacle standing in Texas's way?

• Their offense.  That may not be entirely fair considering how well they played this season, but if they hit an offensive rut, they could be in for some close games.  We all know their defense will always travel and keep them in games, but if they get sloppy on offense or even unlucky, they could find themselves in the unenviable position of being in some razor-close margin games.  They could certainly drop some games in 2-1 fashion which could spell the end of any title hopes for the Renegades this season. 
  

Biggest advantage in the first round?

• Depth, depth, and more depth.  Texas's roster is simply too deep for Edmonton to contend with for an entire series.  In many ways, it's like fighting a hydra. The second they cut off one head, two grow in its place.  Texas has too many elite players at too many positions to be kept down.  Look for the Renegades to roll on through to the next round after dispatching the Blizzard.
  

Edmonton Blizzard (50 points)

• Division - 5th
  
• Conference - 8th
  
• League - 15th
  

MVP - LW Kyle Sutton: -12, 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists), 83 blocks, 109 hits
Unsung Hero - LW Slavakov Vladimirashenko: -22, 33 points (19 goals, 14 assists), 71 blocks, 111 hits

Edmonton finished the season with 50 points in the competitive Pacific Division and find themselves in the postseason to face off against Texas.  Let's start with the back end for the Blizzard and highlight their two goalies who have constantly been great for Edmonton this season. Senji Seteki has started 48 games and has an impressive .918 save percentage.  Their goals against average is north of 3.0, but they've blocked more than their share of shots.  Behind them you've got Tyler Ward who has a .911 save percentage, proving to be a capable replacement.  Between this pair, you have the makings of one of the better goalie rooms in SHL and something the Blizzard will need to rely on this postseason.  As far as skaters go, the offense runs through four players who get the lion's share of opportunities and ice time. Kyle Sutton (59 points), Kaapo Kampainen (51 points), Makrus The Tater Jager (43 points), and Julio Tokolosh (42 points) are a fantastic quartet of forwards and the Blizzard will likely go as far as those four key players can take them. They each also help out a good bit on defense, further proving their overall value to the Edmonton club.  As far as defenders go, the name of the game is blocks, blocks, and more blocks.  In fact, they have five defensemen with at least 91 blocks, lead by Pasta the Turtle's 172 and Axel Foley's 128.  Edmonton prides themselves on tips, deflections, and downright throwing their body into harm's way to help protect their goaltender and they have the stats to back it up.  You always have to keep your head on a swivel when you're playing a scrappy team like Edmonton because a block can easily turn into a breakaway goal on the other end if you get caught in no man's land.  The Blizzard are tough, resilient, and will give every minute of every game 110% effort to bring home a victory to the people of Edmonton.   Their players often leave the arena bruised and battered, but they'd do it all again in a heartbeat for a Blizzard victory.

What will it take for Edmonton to win the Challenge Cup?

• They need their two goalies to play the best hockey of their careers for the next few weeks.  They have the ability to be all-league goaltenders and they'll need every ounce of ability they can muster to keep the Blizzard within striking distance in every game.  Their offense can go through some lulls, which makes the defense and goalies' job even more important.  They can't afford to lose focus for even a possession, lest they find themselves on the wrong end of a broom in the first round.
  

What's the biggest obstacle standing in Edmonton's way?

• They don't have a dominant offensive player who can take over a game.  Edmonton's roster is plenty deep, but they seem to lack a go-to scorer or facilitator to keep the offense moving come playoff time.  They have to rely on buildup, depth, and solid play which is nothing to sneeze at, but sometimes to win in the postseason you need Herculean efforts from some of the best players in all of hockey and I just don't see that in Edmonton right now.  They have to work so hard for every goal that it may just not be enough to get the job done. 
  

Biggest advantage in the first round?

• Edmonton has the ability to frustrate opposing teams to no end.  They block shots, they hit you, they play solid fundamentals, and did I mention that they block shots?  It can be more than irritating to play the Blizzard when you know a good chunk of your shots won't even come close to the net thanks to the stingy gaps they offer forwards. If they can frustrate Texas and capitalize on a few mistakes, we could be in for a potential massive first round upset for the Blizzard.  The Renegades have to keep their nerve and not let the Blizzard get in their heads.
  

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