Season 12 First Round Predictions

by James Ashton

After what has seemed like months we have finally made it to the playoffs and away we go. As usual Bathurst is already working on their draft list joined by Riverview barely as the team needed tie breakers to politely say no thank we’d rather go to the lottery than try for the cup. It's still undecided how the draft will go with 3 NHL legends waiting to be picked and an under the radar 18 year old Craig Anderson goaltender waiting to hear his name  heard. The lottery wheel has not been kind to the backstoppers. The top 4 will be very interesting.

Also with rerates coming out today, I was very distracted trying to write this, it’s like seeing a delicious cheeseburger while already eating ribs. It’s hard to look away and focus.

Any who on to the matchups.

Lemieux Conference

Oromocto Senators (1) vs Miramichi Moose (4)

Consider this the Mason Mctavish revenge round as they young prospect was the centerpiece of the first trade to assemble the Sedins twins.  He will look to show the Moose executives what they are missing and will hopefully regret trading away. For me as the Moose general manager, I couldn’t care less. We are preparing for next year when we go away to the other Conference that doesn't have Bathurst. We’ve been having Swedish movie nights like Midsommar and Let The Right One In to prepare for next year when we are having 3 new Swedish Imports and another coming soon.

Most Important Player: Spencer Knight - No one expects the Moose to win this series, even me. However given the opportunity my team can score goals if allowed to. If Knight shuts the door , the Moose goaltender is so bad that it should be an easy series victory. Spoiler Alert : The Sedins , Rosen and Edvinsson have all been promoted for experience 

Key Matchup : Senators forwards Vs. Moose Goalies. Again I don’t expect to win a game with a 74 rated goalie. The next lowest pro starter is 87!!!!!! Senators put the puck on the net and you shall be rewarded .

Prediction : Senators in 4

South Esk Scotsman (2) vs. Cains River Blues (3)

In what should be the more competitive first rounder for this conference in the backwoods clash of clans we have the farmers from South Esk vs. the fishermen from up River. The cars will be long, the Alpine will likely be sold out every game and the fights in the parking lot could be more entertaining than the game itself.

Most Important Player : Peyton Krebs - You might have expected one of the big names here but with the injuries to Mackinnon and Hedmen the Blues will need maximum contributions. Krebs is a grindy player who is a .67 points per game this season. What will matter is what impact his defence will have against Zegras, Draisital and Kooch. 

Key Matchup : Cains Ruthless Aggression vs. South Esk's Ruthless Aggression - We have some heavy hitters on both sides here. We could see key injuries and who wins the hit game could be the key factor. Could a Miro vs. Alexeyev Collinson is in the cards. If you’re a forecehecker in this series consider putting on a layer of bubble wrap for your hockey future.

Prediction : South Esk in 6

Gretzky Conference

Saint John KIngs (1) vs. Albert County Renegade (4)

As in the other Conference this is a matchup of two team that had much different seasons. 

The Kings steamrolled through the regular season with absolute ease. You can tell the team is on auto pilot when GM Kenny is quiet and happy with his team. No major tweak or altering trades during the season means the team is ready to go and with the witch crafted monkey off their back after winning the cup last year.

Then there are the Renegade. They did everything in their power to not make the playoffs even though they  don’t own their own first rounder. McDavid had his second worst statistical season, Stutzle had a hard time staying in games and Shesterkin allowed almost an additional goal per game.

Most Important Player : Connor Mcdavid - Pretty Simple here for the Renegade to have any chance their best player has to be the best player in the series. Against a machine deep team like Saint John the Renegade will need a reason to compete.

Key Match Up : Saint John Forwards vs. Albert County Defence : Keeping the game close will be the key. Saint John has much more firepower. The lower the goal output the higher chance for the Renegade to steal games.

Prediction: Kings in 4

Moncton Melons (2) vs. Dorchester Devils (3)

This has the looks of a goalie matchup with the present star center of the league and possibly the future as well. The Melons were steamrollers in the league posting a +60 goal differential where the Devils were a -3. That will happen when you have the only guy to put up 100 point seasons as opposed the Devils will be hoping for Kaprill the thrill to even the series.

Key Player : Ilya Samsonov - Most times I look at these 2 vs 3 matchups the more space there is in terms of balance, the more I am at the team with the disadvantageous key player which usually is the goalie. After signing a two year $20 million dollar contract, now is the time for Samsonov to earn his money.

Key Matchup : 1st line vs. 1st line -  Moncton’s 1st line usually outclasses the opposition on a regular basis. For Dorchester to keep this close getting a effort to offset the explosive nature of Hughes and company

Prediction : Moncton in 5

By James Ashton