Quick Glance:

During the regular season, Munich showed they have a dangerous defense corps and two strong lines. In the playoffs, they are only seeing the best teams and Bern is one of them. The Bears’ top line of Nico Hischier, Sebastian Aho and Jake Debrusk will be a challenge to skate with but the matchup on the second lines should be great theater. Nick Paul of Munich and Anthony Cirelli of Bern both do the little things as well as anyone; perhaps better than anyone. They win faceoffs, hit oppenents, erase passing and shooting lanes, and they can make plays.

Goalies (in playoffs):

• Munich- Niko Hovinen (3.52 GAA; .862 save percentage)
• Bern – Juuse Saros (1.80 GAA; .924 save percentage)

Top Plus/Minus players (in playoffs):

• Munich – Noah Hanifin (+7)
• Bern- Anthony Cirelli, Shayne Gostisbehere and Rasmus Dahlin (+7)

Expert Panel Predictions:

• Commissioner Chuck: Bern in 7 games. The Bears roster is full of two-way players; forwards who backcheck and defensemen who can handle the puck. To me, that translates into constant pressure on the Red Bulls and I’m looking for Bern to come out on top in a close series.
• Rose: Munich in 7 games. Coach Barry Trotz is a good motivator and if he can convince Dylan Sikura there’s a good reason why he was able to score 92 points this season, and then if he can convince Cale Makar there’s a good reason that no other defenseman including Aaron Ekblad scored more goals than him this season, then the Red Bulls can get on a roll.