2019 OHL Playoff Predictions: Round Two

Round one is officially finished, and to no one's surprise all of the top teams moved on. In fact, none of the series' even made it past Game 5. I think it is safe to say that round two will be a little different.

Of course, worth mentioning that I wrote playoff previews for McKeens this year and you can find those HERE & HERE.

Went 8-0 in round one with my predictions (again, no surprise).

Let's take a closer look at the Conference Semi Finals.

Eastern Conference

1. Ottawa 67's vs. 4. Sudbury Wolves
Season Series: 1-1, TIE
Analysis: Throw the season series out the window. These two teams have not met since November 15. Both teams look pretty different since then. This is a hell of a goaltending battle with two of the three best goalies in the OHL going up against each other. Dipietro still does not look completely comfortable in Ottawa and is going to be tested a heck of a lot more than he was against Hamilton. Where as UPL is the front runner for goaltender of the year and continues to be the Wolves' MVP. Defensively, Ottawa has a clear advantage here, especially in terms of experience. From an offensive perspective, Ottawa has the advantage again. Quinton Byfield is terrific, but asking him to lead this Wolves team to the Eastern Conference final in his first year is a lot to ask. Two things to keep an eye on here. The first is powerplay efficiency. During the regular season, Sudbury was dead last in the league. But their powerplay has been better in the playoffs so far. They will need to take advantage of every man advantage that they get. The second is the UPL factor. Can he truly steal this series and send home the top team in the OHL? I think that the Wolves are going to push Ottawa and make them sweat, but at the end of the day I see the 67's experience as a major advantage and that Dipietro can do enough to make sure Ottawa advances.
Prediction: Ottawa in 6

2. Niagara IceDogs vs. 3. Oshawa Generals
Season Series: 1-1, TIE
Analysis: Like the other East semi, these two teams are not very familiar with each other because they are in opposite divisions. They have not played each other in the 2019 calendar year. The biggest story of this series is the fact that Niagara acquired Jack Studnicka and Matt Brassard from the Generals to help them capture the East and now they have to go through their former team who refused to throw in the towel after dealing them. Quite honestly, I think whoever wins this series takes home the East; that is how much I believe in either team. I think both are built for playoff success this year with balanced rosters and solid goaltending. Oshawa has the advantage from a defensive standpoint, be it their blueline or their goaltender. Where as Niagara has the advantage from an offensive standpoint with a little more fire power. So who the heck wins? I think Niagara takes this and here is why. The first reason is home ice advantage. I think this ultimately goes seven games and that 7th game would be played in St. Catharines. The second reason is that I think Niagara's forward group is better in terms of generating possession time in the offensive end on the backs of guys like Jason Robertson, Jack Studnicka, Akil Thomas, and hopefully Kirill Maksimov (if he's healthy enough). Oshawa is more of a quick strike team who can prey on a team that does not have an incredibly mobile defense group. And Niagara's blueliners are a terrific skating bunch. Again, this will be close, but I am going with Niagara.
Prediction: Niagara in 7


Western Conference

1. London Knights vs. 4. Guelph Storm
Season Series: 4-2, Guelph
Analysis: Unlike the East, the teams playing each other in the West semi's are extremely familiar with each other. Guelph has largely taken it to the Knights this year, especially recently having outscored London 12-4 in the two meetings in the regular season's final month. Three main reasons for that have been Guelph's dominance at 5 on 5, London's inability to capitalize on the powerplay, and London's inability to get quality goaltending against the Storm. In order for London to win, goaltending will be the key. Kooy was solid in round one and either he (or Raaymakers, if he falters) will need to be play well. Their powerplay, on the backs of Bouchard and Boqvist, was unreal in round one (operating at over 50%) and they will need to keep that up. And they will need to stay out of the penalty box against an equally dangerous Guelph powerplay. Ultimately, I see this series being incredibly high scoring. We could see a lot of 6-5, 7-4, type of games. Think of it like a heavyweight title bout in boxing with each boxer swinging with maximum power with each punch. But here is why I see Guelph winning. I think their forward group is deeper on higher end, more experienced talent and I think their forward group sees the ice a little better overall. London will be bringing speed and plenty of it. They like to push the pace. But Guelph has an extremely mobile defensive group who can counter punch. And ultimately, I do not think London's defense is hard nosed enough to stop Guelph's forward group from dominating below the hash marks like they are capable of.
Prediction: Guelph in 6

2. Saginaw Spirit vs. 3. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Season Series: 4-4, TIE
Analysis: This is most definitely a coin flip for me. Two very solid teams here who have versatile lineups. Here is why Saginaw should win: SSM had brutal performances by their special teams in the opening round of the playoffs and the team's powerplay has struggled with consistency all season long. Saginaw also has a deeper forward group with the ability to roll three very strong scoring lines. Additionally, Saginaw's size and physicality on the back-end should give SSM difficulty and prevent them from establishing consistent zone time. However, here is why SSM will win: Two of Saginaw's biggest guns, Owen Tippett and Ryan McLeod have yet to score this year against the Soo and have been shutdown by the Greyhounds' veteran duo of Morgan Frost and Barrett Hayton. Also, as good as Ivan Prosvetov has been down the stretch, he has struggled against the Greyhounds this year and he does not have the experience that Matthew Villalta does (even if I am not the most confident in Villalta either). And while the Greyhounds do have some youngsters in the lineup that they are relying on heavily, they are largely a very battle tested playoff group. Frost, Hayton, Hollowell, Sambrook, Howdeshell, Peca. These are veteran players who know what it takes to win in the playoffs and who have been terrific so far.
Prediction: SSM in 7