Quick Glance:
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the top two Northern Conference teams in the regulation season will meet for the right to play for the Cup. Both of these general managers know how to win and both have multiple Cup wins on their resume. In the regular season, both clubs were at or near the top of the team statistics in many categories. Minsk scored 5 more goals and allowed 2 fewer goals than the Tridents did. This is a series of the two best defenses in the league, as well as the two best penalty-killing teams and the two best powerplay teams. Truly, a battle of two giants.
Goalies (playoffs):
- Minsk – Attila Adorjan 2.46 GAA and .895 save pct.
- Copenhagen – Joonas Korpisalo 2.09 GAA and .910 save pct.
Top Plus/Minus players (playoffs):
- Minsk – Fyodor Malykhin +7
- Copenhagen – K’Andre Miller +8
Expert Panel Predictions:
- Commissioner Chuck: This series is a coin flip. Both teams start the series with some dinged up players but that shouldn’t be a huge factor. An injury from here on out, however, could swing the series. Assuming both teams stay healthy, I’ll favor Copenhagen in 6 games. The only statistic I see that jumps out has to do with the goalies. Trident Joonas Korpisalo seems to be locked on, while Hussar Attila Adorjan has faltered just a little in these playoffs. That’s not a lot to go on, but it’s the only clue I see.
- Rose: Last season, Helsinki blew Copenhagen away at this stage and I will never forget the look in Auston Matthews’ eyes when he came to me looking for consolation and advice. Even as I told him what to do if he ever got in this position again, I could tell he wasn’t hearing me. He was lost. I think that experience will revisit itself and the American kid won’t lead his team as everyone expects. Especially with Aaron Ekblad on his ass for the whole Series. Minsk in 4 games.
