CFHF Fantasy League Playoff Preview:
(1) North Kariya vs. (8) The Terrors
vs.
North Kariya: 200-83-11 (411 pts.) First in the Vernon Division
The Terrors: 155-125-14 (324 pts.) Second in the Loob Division
Season series: North Kariya 12-2-0
Playoff history: North Kariya has rocketed to the top of the regular season standings this year, which marks their first return to the playoffs since the Girouxsalem era. The Terrors have become a consistent playoff team in the last few years, and always enjoys their one week in the dance.
North Kariya roster notes: North Kariya's depth is being tested currently, as Tomas Hertl, Cam Atkinson and Mark Stone are all on the shelf entering the first round.
The Terrors roster notes: The Terrors will be dealing with the notable absence of Steven Stamkos for the entire playoffs, but are otherwise at full strength.
The PR-ediction: All of the offensive categories are up for grabs in this one, but with North Kariya's dominance in goaltending and peripheral categories, The Terrors need to seize all of them in order to have a chance in this matchup.
North Kariya favoured: PIMs, Hits, Blocks, Goaltending Categories
The Terrors favoured: None
Swing categories: G, A, P, PPP, SOG, FW
(2) GoodFellas vs. (7) Techno Onion
vs.
GoodFellas: 187-90-17 (391 pts.) First in the Loob Division
Techno Onion: 159-120-15 (333 pts.) First in the MacInnis Division
Season series: GoodFellas 7-6-1
Playoff history: The GoodFellas' juggernaut squad comes into this post-season as the defending champions (after video review), a capstone on three consecutive seasons of making the playoffs. Techno Onion were on the outside looking in last year, but had made the playoffs the two years prior, including a run to the finals in 2018.
GoodFellas roster notes: GoodFellas is healthy at the right time of year, with only Jakob Chychrun listed as injured, but ready to return.
Techno Onion roster notes: If Techno Onion are to pull off the upset, they will be doing it without the services of Erik Karlsson, who has been shut down for the year.
The PR-ediction: While this matchup sets up as an offensive mismatch, Techno Onion has enough strength in peripherals and goaltending to make this a very interesting matchup. GoodFellas have more sure things, but there are enough categories up for grabs for Techno Onion to pave their way to the next round.
GoodFellas favoured: G, A, P, PPP, GWG, SOG
Techno Onion favoured: FW, W, SV
Swing categories: Hits, Blocks, GAA, SV%
(3) Flaming Horseheads vs. (6) Beer Chuggers
vs.
Flaming Horseheads: 180-98-16 (376 pts.) First in the McDonald Division
Beer Chuggers: 156-120-18 (330 pts.) Second in the Vernon Division
Season series: Beer Chuggers 7-6-1
Playoff history: The Horseheads are in the midst of one of the most successful eras in league history, which includes two championships in the past three years, and playoffs in each of their GM's seasons in the league. Beer Chuggers have been a bubble team since expansion, last in the playoffs two seasons ago. This is their most promising playoff entry to date.
Flaming Horseheads roster notes: Flaming Horseheads are currently without the services of Jacob Markstrom and Oliver Bjorkstrand, as well as Mark Borowiecki. All three put dents in certain categories for the Horseheads.
Beer Chuggers roster notes: Both Brandon Carlo and Tomas Tatar are absent from the Chuggers' lineup entering this round, but both are listed as day-to-day, and their return could occur this week.
The PR-ediction: The power rankings don't give much hope to supporters of the Beer Chuggers in this one, but if there is one glimmer of hope, the absence of Jacob Markstrom should bring the two teams closer together than they appear in the goaltending categories. If goaltending goes their way, this matchup could surprise.
Flaming Horseheads favoured: G, PIM, PPP, GWG, SOG, Blocks, Goaltending Categories
Beer Chuggers favoured: FW, Hits
Swing categories: A, P
(4) Intangibles vs. (5) Wheeling Dusters
vs.
Intangibles: 169-106-19 (357 pts.) First in McDonald Division
Wheeling Dusters: 169-107-18 (356 pts.) Second in the MacInnis Division
Season series: Intangibles 9-5-0
Playoff history: These teams share a couple of things, historically. Neither has won a CFHF Cup Championship, but both have felt the agonizing sting of losing it extremely late in the final round of the playoffs. Intangibles return to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons after rebuilding their roster, having lost the championship on Sunday in 2016, while Wheeling Dusters return for their third consecutive playoffs after losing last year's final on a stat correction, seven days after the conclusion of the matchup.
Intangibles roster notes: Jake Muzzin is on the shelf long-term for Intangibles, while Alexander Radulov and Sergei Bobrovsky are both dealing with nagging ailments as the matchup gets underway.
Wheeling Dusters roster notes: Jeff Carter has recently suffered a setback in his recovery, and is not likely to feature in this matchup for Wheeling Dusters; however, Brock Boeser's return to the lineup is imminent.
The PR-ediction: If the near-identical records don't convince you of how close this matchup is, the PRs back it up. Strengths and weaknesses are smattered across the board in this one, and ultimately the matchup is a coin-toss.
Intangibles favoured: G, Hits, W, SV
Wheeling Dusters favoured: PPP, FW, GAA, SV%
Swing categories: A, P, PIM, SOG, BLK
