Quick Glance: Obviously, we have two powerhouses ready to do battle. The Finals pits the team that finished first overall in the regular season against the No. 3 team that was just 3 points behind them. They were also the top two scoring teams this season. The biggest bit of news before the first puck drop is that Helsinki has a slight limp going into the series. Veteran Logan Couture has a knee injury that could keep him out the entire series. He has been great in the playoffs so far with 11 points in 13 games as center of Line 3 for the Jokerits. His experience and defensive prowess will be sorely missed. Sean Couturier moves up to take his place between Jeff Skinner and Anthony Mantha, and Stanislav Vrhel has been called up to plug the hole on Line 4. As for Munich, they are healthy and looking strong in all areas.

Munich has the edge in goal, if you look at Goals Against Average and save percentage. Alex Nedeljkovic has been great and Helsinki will need to rattle or at least distract him.

On defense, Munich has gotten 15 goals from the blueline in 14 games, while Helsinki has gotten 10 goals in 15 games. The Red Bulls also have more experience back there than Helsinki has.

Up front, Helsinki’s top line has an average OV rating of 90 and Munich’s is about 86. Munich’s Dylan Sikura and his wingers will have their hands full for the next four to seven games. The Jokerits might also have an edge if the second lines match up against each other, especially since Jesperi Kotkaniemi has been on a tear lately. But look out for the Red Bulls’ third line centered by Tyler Seguin, who played for Helsinki the previous three seasons.

Goalies: (in playoffs):

• Helsinki – Andres De La Garma, 2.97 GAA, .889 save pct.
• Munich – Alex Nedeljkovic, 2.21 GAA, .924 save pct.

Top Plus/Minus players (in playoffs):

• Helsinki – Connor McDavid, +7
• Munich – Cale Makar, +16

Expert Panel Predictions:

• Commissioner Chuck: Helsinki in 6 games. This season saw two great stories we are unlikely to see again: Munich’s amazing winning run over the last two months of the season and Connor McDavid’s record season in which he actually averaged more than 2 points per game. This series will feature some interesting mini-battles but I see Connor McDavid being driven by a desire to not let anything tarnish his amazing season.
• Rose: Munich in 5 games. The more I watch the Red Bulls the more I am impressed by them. It’s been known, I’m sure, that I’m a big fan of a solid rear end and anytime I look at a Munich players, I almost see the words “Solid Rear End” flashing before my eyes. Moritz Seider and Alexis Vanier deserve to be on the top defense pair, but I’m particularly amazed at how the next pair – Cale Makar and Esa Lindell – handle a game. Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic is lucky because he gets a perfect view of the rearguards’ rear ends. I envy him. And he’s been getting better as the weeks pass.