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patricianlobster · 11-13-2024, 01:44 PM

The first round of the playoffs is quickly winding down with other games still ongoing. But which of the series that have ended are surprising? First there have been a total of four different sweeps that have occurred during the first round. That is a pretty extraordinary number frankly. Are any of them even surprising? The QCC sweeping VAN is hardly surprising in the slightest. You've got the number one team against the last team. Really there should be absolutely no surprises there as far as a sweep. But let's look at some of these other teams. NL sweeps against KEL which again shouldn't be too surprising. NL boasted +106 goal diff during the regular season while the KEL sat at an -109. Again these shouldn't be surprising to anyone. The story is similar between ANC and GFG who are pretty wide apart as far as standings and goal diff.

However, one of these sweeps is quite a bit surprising. The matchup I am talking about of course comes down between DET and COL. Both of these teams were ranked fairly close to each other in the regular season. Although all of the stats during the regular season pointing to COL being the better team it wasn't such a substantial difference that it called for a sweep. COL had 40 wins, 300GF, 246 GA, and a +54 goal diff. Meanwhile, DET stats were 33 wins, 264 GF, 257 GA, and a +7 Goal diff during the regular season. So what broke down? Well looking at some of the stats it looks like COL just played better hockey. Their stats pointed to them being more active in the game every single time with more goals, more hits, and more faceoffs won.

But not everything looked so bleak for DET and there is something that may be a weakness for COL moving further into the playoffs. DET effectively contained and shut down the COL PP and in the reverse DET scored consistently against the PK in COL. In fact most of the DET goals came from their PP unit. This matchup highlighted perhaps some strengths for DET to play off of moving into the future. It also highlighted some weaknesses shown by the COL as they advance further into the playoffs. A more effective special teams would likely help them make a deep run. Otherwise their next matchup will be one that is very difficult. Games are won on the backs of special teams so it is important that they take a look at these special teams to see if there are any improvements that could be made. They out hockey-ed the first round opponent but it won't be so easy in the second round.

And those wrap up the sweeps of the first round. Some just outright make sense. But the matchup against DET and COL highlighted some areas of improvement that could be made for both teams. With that said COL will want to make some changes going forward to ensure that they remain effective especially if they come face to face against teams that have better stats then they do.

chetib · 11-14-2024, 10:33 AM

Approved @patricianlobster @Ara

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