NA NHL 20 Cup Playoffs Preview

It’s officially time for the playoffs in the Northern Arena Cup presented by NHLGamer. Over 90 teams signed up for a chance at glory, 32 teams have run through the qualifiers, played 15 games across 2 weeks, and we are now down to the top 16 teams left to battle it out for the $10,000 prize pool. Of course, due to the real-life NHL teams being represented here, we will see 8 teams in the western conference and 8 teams in the eastern conference. The competition and parity in the league was actually very strong, as there were many teams that were separated by only a couple of points. This could create some powerhouse matchups, where if some teams slipped up for a day could have changed their seed from a 3rd seed all the way to a bottom 2 seed potentially. There will be lots of action-packed games and series, so let's go through all of the matchups.

#1 Seattle Entourage vs #8 Arizona Mars 

12-1-2 Record 8-5-2

3.33 GF/GM 3.13

1.73 GA/GM 2.67

52.17 PP% 5.26

86.36 PK% 66.67

Seattle came into the event with high expectations of finishing in the top seed, and they did exactly that, only dropping one game in regulation in the process. The team felt in control throughout the season and rarely had any hitches. They were top 5 in a large amount of categories, which is no surprise given their very solid 12-1-2 record. 

Arizona Mars came off a very solid run in the CBJ Summer Cup finishing top 8 as Complex. While they may not be a team you first think of for playoff contenders, they managed to get back into a playoff scenario squeaking into that final spot in the west.

Keys to the series:

• Seattle needs to stick to their gameplan and not get derailed by any antics from Arizona. As Arizona is a west coast connection, there will be some factor there, but this team has pulled through it before, and are riding high heading into the series.
   
• Arizona need to stay out of the penalty box. Seattle has the best power play in the west, operating at a massive 52.17%, while their penalty kill sits second last with a 66.67%. If they can keep games close throughout and not give Seattle too much confidence they can steal some early games and make it a battle.

Prediction: Seattle Entourage in 4

 #2 Calgary Prodigy HC vs #7 Winnipeg Denial 

10-2-3 Record 9-4-2

3.33 GF/GM 2.93

2.87 GA/GM 1.73

7.89 PP% 20

91.3 PK% 77.78

• Calgary Prodigy went through some roster changes prior to the event, and while I thought they would be within the playoff bubble, they went on a late-season run and managed to finish in a respectable 2nd place. The young guns on this team all love their high skill plays, and the entire lineup can be weapons. 
   
• Winnipeg Denial ended up being the opposite, where I thought they would be pretty smooth sailing, but a slow start to the season forced them to have some second-half heroics to get back into the playoff picture. The team does have the chem and the event pedigree where any seed they finish in they can make a run and compete. 

Keys to the Series:

• Calgary will need to break through Winnipeg’s defense and use their skill to score plenty of goals. This team had good offensive numbers, but they were below average defensively, so they will either have to tighten up or prepare to pot some goals. 
   
• Winnipeg will need to continue their tight defensive game. Unlike Calgary, Winnipeg Denial had very solid defensive numbers, and it could prove to be the x-factor for them in the series. With Calgary’s powerplay fizzling out with a 2.63%, it could be another leg up in the series.

Prediction: Winnipeg Denial in 5

 #3 Chicago Phantoms vs #6 Anaheim Ducks Gaming 

10-4-1 Record 9-4-2

3.07 GF/GM 3.07

1.53 GA/GM 2.53

29.41 PP% 10.53

86.36 PK% 92.31

• Chicago Phantoms came together and reunited for this event under the Phantoms banner, and they continued where they left off with a respectable 3rd seed in the west. They were consistently solid throughout the season, and have good underlying numbers in all categories. Their special teams have been red hot as well, being top 4 in both in PP% and PK%. 
   
• Anaheim Ducks Gaming picked up BBB for their team, and they finished decently. To be honest, they started off strong but kind of stumbled into the playoffs, but a good squad nonetheless. They have had a lot of close games in the season, which could benefit them heading into the playoffs, where the games are usually much tighter.

Keys to the Series:

• Chicago will need to capitalize on their strong powerplay. They finished with a 3rd ranked 29.41%, and will look to get an early lead potentially with a powerplay goal. This series will be very tight, so a good performance from the defense and goaltending could prove to be the difference.
   
• Anaheim needs to play a tighter defensive game. This team has very active puck-moving defensemen, and can score when needed, but it will be the defensive side of the game that will carry them through the series. They had a relatively high goals against per game compared to other playoff teams at 2.53, so they will need to be better in their own end.

Prediction: Chicago in 5

 #4 San Jose Chilltown HC vs #5 Dallas Walking Dead 

10-4-1 Record 10-5-0

3.13 GF/GM 2.93

2.2 GA/GM 1.87

24.24 PP% 10.34

85.29 PK% 76.92

San Jose Chilltown made a couple of changes heading into the event, bringing in some experienced players like TheGreatMP7 and Vaporize 17 into the fray. This roster has the benefit of having multiple players who can all be solid contributors to any team out there, and can play at multiple positions. It’s a unique trait to have as a team, but the rotation could prove to be useful. 

Dallas Walking Dead have been known as a high offense team, with lots of chemistry between the forwards from many events. However, Northern Arena has given them new light in being a fairly solid defensively responsible team. I never would’ve expected Walking Dead to be a middle of the pack team offensively but a really good defensive team, but perhaps this is a factor to their recent success.

Keys to the Series:

• San Jose will need to use their playoff experience to their advantage. This team doesn’t have a player that hasn’t had some sort of event playoff experience, and can most certainly be a factor heading into a big series. This team has been known for its defensive prowess, and I would say their regular season was more of an anomaly. 
   
• Dallas will need to continue with their defensive play. It’s going to be a tight series, and before I wasn’t sure if they could compete in those tight games because of their all offense gameplan. They seem to have found a good balance between both sides of the puck, so it could be very fun to watch this team heading into the playoffs. 

Prediction: San Jose in 5

 #1 New York Underdogs vs #8 Long Island 6th Sense 

13-1-1 Record 9-4-2

4.47 GF/GM 2.47

1.73 GA/GM 1.60

41.18 PP% 33.33

41.67 PK% 90.91

New York Underdogs came into this event slated to finish first, and did they ever do that. They quite frankly have looked rather dominant at times, and with only 2 losses all season it’s definitely showing in the stats department. Not only are they scoring lots of goals with 67 goals in 15 games, they only are allowing 26. 

Long Island shifted some players around, and their new look team finished in the final playoff spot with a 9-4-2 record. While they didn’t score nearly as many goals as their counterpart, they certainly played a good defensive game, only allowing 24 goals in 15 games. 

Keys to the Series:

• I guess New York just needs to continue what they’re doing. They have been blowing the competition away so far, and they just need to stick to whatever their gameplan is to continue through the playoffs. Their penalty kill has been rather lackluster with a 41.67%, so they should try and stay out of the box.
   
• Long Island will look to continue to play a strong defensive game. Going up against an offensive force like the Underdogs, the best counter for it will be playing a defensively sound game. They have shown they can do it in the regular season, and keeping the games low scoring will give them the chance to shock the top seed. 

Prediction: New York in 4

 #2 Toronto Composure vs #7 CBJ Gaming 

12-2-1 Record 9-3-3

3.47 GF/GM 2.47

1.20 GA/GM 1.33

56.25 PP% 10.0

88.89 PK% 80.95

Toronto came into this event looking for some redemption after a disappointing top 16 finish in CBJ Gaming. They did just that again in the regular season with a fairly dominating performance in the regular season. Their powerplay was an astonishing 56.25%, and they had the lowest goals against per game with a 1.20.

CBJ Gaming brought their own roster to the event featuring lots of local Columbus talent. Despite this, I thought they were going to struggle with the top tier competition. They ended up making playoffs in a Cinderella story manner, and look to make a dark-horse run.

Keys to the Series:

• Composure will need to establish their tight possession game and give CBJ no space to maneuver. They always seem to have high TOA numbers, and in combination with their very good defensive system makes it extremely difficult to play against. 
   
• CBJ needs Welsh to continue his monstrous run. He has been lights out for them, and a key reason why they have such a good goals against per game. They are going up against the only team with a lower goals against than them, so they will need to match their play to sneak in some tight wins.

Prediction: Toronto in 3

 #3 Tampa Bay Vertigo vs #6 Canadiens Esports 

12-2-1 Record 10-3-2

4.73 GF/GM 3.47

2.47 GA/GM 2.27

26.32 PP% 22.22

83.33 PK% 91.67

Tampa Bay have always been a threat in all events they play in. This one is no different, finishing with a 12-2-1 record. They also have been goal-scoring machines, scoring 71 goals across 15 games.

Montreal picked up their own roster for the event, and it paid off with a very solid 10-3-2 record. They started off somewhat slowly, but picked it up for the second week finishing with an 8-2-0 record in the final 10 games of the season. 

Keys to the Series:

• While their goals for is tops in the league, Tampa Bay had a somewhat average defensive performance, with only a 2.47 goals against per game, good for 8th in the east. For a team looking to make a deep run in the playoffs, they will need to be better in their own end to make that happen.
   
• Montreal will need to keep their momentum going from their final week success. This team has a solid roster that can challenge Tampa Bay and potentially make an upset, but if they can use their confidence gained from a solid string of games in the final week, it could certainly increase their chances.

Prediction: Tampa Bay in 4

 #4 Philadelphia Problematic vs #5 Boston Nationalz 

11-3-1 Record 11-4-0

3.93 GF/GM 3.07

2.40 GA/GM 2.53

30.43 PP% 29.63

80.95 PK% 76.19

Philadelphia Problematic picked up the Road 2 Glory roster for the season. I thought they would find themselves within the playoff bubble, but they impressed with an 11-3-1 record. Their additions to their roster paid off and they have had a respectable season. 

Boston Nationalz started off very hot being the last team to be undefeated in the regular season before dropping a couple of games late in the season. An 11-4-0 record to finish in the 5th seed is still very respectable.

Keys to the Series:

• Philadelphia will need to continue to score at the clip they are in the regular season. With 3.93 goals for per game, they have been scoring in waves and can prove to be their largest asset. Their powerplay has also been solid with a 30.43%, so it will need to continue to be impactful for them to advance.
   
• Boston needs to match the offense of Philadelphia. They are known as an offensive team, but they have only really been average with a 3.07 goals for per game. Also, their penalty kill has been mediocre compared to other top teams at 76.19%

Prediction: Philadelphia in 5

Good luck to all of the teams in the playoffs, be sure to tune into the streams to catch all of the action!