ECL '25: Winter - Neo | Playoffs: Round 1 Preview

The holiday season is over and it's time for the first round of the playoffs. After an exciting and high-scoring regular season we're down to 32 teams so let's take a quick look at each matchup. These predictions are mostly based on the stats of the regular season and how they've progressed throughout the season. If you have any insights or want to tell me more about your team, feel free to send me a DM here or over on Discord!

Neo Division Playoff schedule (BO5)

• Round of 32: January 5th –  9th
• Round of 16: January 12th – 16th
• Quarterfinals: January 19th – 23rd
• Semifinals: January 26th – 30th
• Finals: February 9th
   

ROUND OF 32 PREVIEW
 

(1) Fallen Rangers (12-0-0-2) - (32) Davemiehet (7-0-3-8) 

Davemiehet will have their hands full trying to control the offensive powerhouse that Fallen Rangers proved to be in the regular season. @Sebko99 scored the second most goals (63) in all of the ECL divisions and averaged almost 5 goals a game. The series is looking out the be a high-scoring one and that is exactly what Davemiehet doesn't need if they want to have a chance to go through to the next round.

 (2) Salaseurue (10-1-1-2) - (31) Nordic Knights II (6-1-2-7) 

Salaseurue topped Group 2 while Nordic Knights II placed 7th in Group 3. Statistically, these teams are not too far from each other and the series could be tighter than one could expect. Nordic Knights II had a good showing against their group winner and showed that they should not be taken lightly. Both teams have had a lot of movement in the lineup so it will be interesting to see the playoff lineups.

(3) Brothers In Gaming (14-0-0-4) - (30) Eishockeynet Yetis (3-2-0-9)

After finishing 6th in Group 5 Eishockeynet Yetis will have to stop the high-scoring duo @Xx_Vador_98 and @Mesrine_Jak of Brothers In Gaming. They'll have to greatly improve their defense and goaltending or this could be a quick series.

(4) Taifun Veterans (12-0-1-3) - (29) KARIT (4-1-1-8)

Taifun Veterans were expected to be one of the strongest teams heading into the regular season and they delivered with a group win. They've had a balanced offensive output with four players scoring at least 17 goals. KARIT got a surprise ticket to the playoffs and will be heading into the series as big underdogs.

 (5) HC WOLVES (12-2-1-3) - (28) Twisted Clowns (8-0-2-8) 

The series was played over Christmas with HC WOLVES sweeping the series 3-0. Twisted Clowns put up a good fight with two of the games going to OT after late tying goals but ended up falling short in OT. @Skeleton-1978 continued his good form from the regular season with 8 goals and 10 points and @AndyJester posted an impressive 90.41% save percentage to take the team to the second round.

(6) Veljeskunta HC (11-0-0-3) - (27) Stockholm Vikings (7-1-0-8) 

Veljeskunta HC was the second-highest-scoring team in the league and got strong offensive numbers from the whole lineup. They state on their page that they're "a team without defenders" and that will be put up to a test with playoff hockey starting. Stockholm Vikings got half of their goals from @Andreengand will be highly relying on him for goalscoring.

(7) The Worn Out Wiseman (12-1-2-3) - (26) Seurakunta (8-1-2-7) 

These teams faced off already in Group 1 and The Worn Out Wiseman got both wins with a 10-1 goal differential. They allowed the least goals in the whole division with @Samito97 posting 88.12% save percentage. Seurakunta will need a way to get around that wall and powerplay could be their chance if they can keep scoring like they did in the regular season (45.16 PP%). They will still be facing a 93.75% Penalty Kill so it will not be an easy task.

(8) Red Bull Munich Academy (11-1-0-4) - (25) Hannover Indians Esports (4-1-1-8) 

After finding out about foul play in the form of one of their key players discovered playing for 2 teams at once, Red Bull Munich Academy has decided to withdraw from the post-season. As such, Hannover Indians Esports continues to the second round with a walkover win from the series.

(9) Clowns On Ice (12-1-1-4) - (24) THE BOYS ARE BACK (4-1-3-6) 

Clowns On Ice put up good offensive and defensive numbers with @PaddyD1412 leading the pack with 60 points. THE BOYS ARE BACK struggled defensively allowing 6.5 GAA but they did face off against the two highest-scoring teams in the league. They haven't also been able to find a consistent lineup having 12 skaters and 3 goalies play games in the regular season. When you add the experience from Clowns On Ice, they are the big favorites to go through to the next round.

 (10) Viitapohja Vikings (9-1-1-3) - (23) Hc Total Chaos (7-1-0-8) 

Viitapohja Vikings had a solid season all around and are looking to continue that way in the playoffs. Both teams need to improve their special teams and especially powerplay. That being said it could be one of the deciding factors in this series. If Hc Total Chaos can also improve their goaltending, look out for a tight series.

 (11) Kasanovat (11-0-0-3) - (22) Ice raptors (8-2-0-8) 

Kasanovat takes the edge in almost all of the statistics in this matchup. They had a strong offense with almost 6 GF/GP, were good defensively, and also managed to snatch a win against the number one seed in the playoffs. Ice raptors does not fall far behind but they will still be heading into the series as underdogs. The key for them will be to stop the Kasanovat offense while still being able to use their scoring chances. Small improvements overall from Ice raptors could take this series far.

(12) Nordic Knights (11-1-1-5) - (21) Wildcats esport II (9-2-1-6) 

Nordic Knights were one of the stronger defensive teams and had a good regular season in tough Group 1. Wildcats esport II had a rough start to the season but finished very strong. If they can keep up that momentum and manage to score enough goals, it's expected to be a tight series. Both teams are looking to improve their powerplay numbers as those could be deciding the tight games.

 (13) The Flying Elbows (9-3-1-5) - (20) Lassen Lampaat (5-1-0-8) 

Lassen Lampaat didn't have the regular season they were hoping for and are now in for a tough challenge in the playoffs. The Flying Elbows were one of the handful of teams having less than 3 GAA and also scored 12 PPG posting 48% powerplay, topping the league. Lassen Lampaat had a good penalty kill but they need to stay out of the box and they weren't able to do that in the regular season. Special teams and goaltender battle will be deciding factors in the series and both teams have multiple solid options between the pipes.

 (14) Nordic Macabre (7-1-2-6) - (19) Karhukissat (5-2-0-7) 

Nordic Macabre had an up-and-down season with multiple big wins but also some big losses. They will need to find consistency heading into the playoffs. Karhukissat had a strong ending to the regular season but they did struggle defensively against the top teams in Group 5 posting a -16 goal differential. Both teams have multiple players capable of scoring but the goalie battle does slightly favor Nordic Macabre.

(15) Beastie Boys (5-0-4-5) - (18) Viksberg Puckrats (8-0-1-7) 

If you count goals scored and goals against, Beastie Boys were the second last in the league averaging around 3 goals for and against. They heavily relied on @tolltroll1986 who scored 57% of their goals. Viksberg Puckrats on the other end played very high-scoring hockey with multiple players contributing. Beastie Boys will need to find more offense from their other players or they will have a tough time finding goals with the expected tighter defense in playoffs.

 (16) Hawks HC (11-0-0-7) - (17) Moukka HC (8-4-0-6) 

As their seeds tell us these two teams are very evenly matched. Hawks HC top scorers @Hodja and @XxjolinoxX had 55 goals combined and had 51% and 44% shooting percentage respectively. Those numbers are very impressive but they're bound to come down at some point. Moukka HC had strong special teams with 43% PP and 80% PK. Whichever team manages keep their numbers up has a high chance of going through.

Follow the Playoff streams:

Please post dates, times and links for streams in the comments of this news story and social media, to help everyone find your team streams.

Who do you think will win each series? Let us know in the comments!