Quick Glance:
Paris finished 10th in the regular season standings and has since become the league’s feel-good story after ousting Number 4 overall Minsk and then Number 2 overall Copenhagen. Next up, the team in between them both: Helsinki. Paris ultra-experienced players know the puck can move faster than they can so they stress passing and positioning. The Finns have blazing speed and sharpshooters throughout the lineup and they try to turn their games into track meets with lots of shots. The Jokerits should dominate the shot totals, but Rouge Eiffels goalie Igor Shesterkin has maintained the best save pct. in the playoffs so far.
Goalies: (in playoffs):
- Paris – Igor Shesterkin, 2.94 GAA, .917 save pct.
- Helsinki – Andres De La Garma, 3.13 GAA, .884 save pct.
Top Plus/Minus players (in playoffs):
- Paris – John Tavares and Alex Pietrangelo, +5
- Helsinki – Alexei Bereglazov, +7
Expert Panel Predictions:
- Commissioner Chuck: Helsinki in 3 games. Yes, I know you need to win 4 games to advance, but this series will be so lopsided, everyone will be able to see the Jokerits are advancing by the time the 2nd period of Game 3 starts. The fact that those louses in Paris tried to get me impeached as commissioner last year has absolutely no bearing on my feelings. Jokerit winger Patrik Laine has found his scoring touch and he has scored on 26 percent of his shots in the playoffs. I think he has many more goals in his stick. I’m a little surprised at the relatively low plus/minus ratings I’m seeing from Helsinki but I expect McDavid and crew to improve in that area this round.
- Rose: Paris in 7 games. The French people have been so nice to me since I’ve predicted they would win the first two rounds. They lined up for my autograph in Game 4 of the last series and sent more pastries to my hotel room than could fit in a hockey bag. They also arranged a book signing event and I have never even written a book. The Rouge Eiffels have totally proven they have the leadership and smarts on the team to beat the big teams and I really see no reason that can’t keep it up.
