It’s getting to that part of the year where we start to think about the hockey playoffs. Rather than focusing on the NHL, we are going to turn our attention to the American Hockey League (AHL), with their postseason now just right around the corner. The AHL playoffs are a rather convoluted affair, but we are here to break it all down for you, after which we will look at how the season is going and who might end the season as the Calder Cup winner, so let’s get right to it.
AHL Regular Season & Playoff Format
The AHL is comprised of 32 teams, each of whom are associated with a team in the NHL. The season is a long one, with each team playing 72 games over the course of the regular season. In terms of the playoffs, things are a little forgiving, as 23 teams make it into the postseason, which is split into 4 division groups.
The top 9 teams get a bye and move into the division semi-finals, which are played as a best-of-5 series. Prior to that, the other 14 teams go into the opening round, which is played in a best-of-3 series. There are a lot of games here, and surprises will happen, which makes the AHL so much fun to wager on in the playoffs.
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | 32 teams affiliated with NHL organizations |
| Regular Season | 72 games per team |
| Playoff Teams | 23 teams qualify |
| Structure | 4 division groups |
| Top 9 Teams | Receive bye to division semi-finals |
| Division Semi-Finals | Best-of-5 series |
| Opening Round | 14 teams play best-of-3 series |
Who Are The AHL Teams to Watch Right Now?
Let’s break this down by division to get an idea of the teams that might make some noise in the postseason.
- Starting in the Atlantic, the Providence Bruins have division all but locked up, as they currently have a 10-point lead at the top. Wilkes Barre/Scranton and Charlotte have also clinched playoff spots.
- There is still a real battle for the top spot in the North Division, with Laval and Syracuse separated by just 2 points, so that battle is likely going to go down to the wire. Both have clinched playoff spots, alongside the Cleveland Monsters.
- In the Central Division, the Grand Rapid Griffins are winning it in an absolute landslide and have already clinched the top spot there. Chicago, Texas, and Manitoba have also ensured their spot in the Calder Cup playoffs.
- The Pacific Division has 5 teams that have already secured passage into the postseason, although the Division is still up for grabs. The winner will be either Ontario or Colorado, who are separated by just 2 points. The other teams that have punched their playoff tickets are Coachella Valley, San Jose, and Henderson.
| Division | Key Teams | Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | Providence Bruins, Wilkes Barre/Scranton, Charlotte | Providence leads by 10 points |
| North | Laval, Syracuse, Cleveland Monsters | Laval and Syracuse separated by 2 points |
| Central | Grand Rapid Griffins, Chicago, Texas, Manitoba | Griffins have clinched top spot |
| Pacific | Ontario, Colorado, Coachella Valley, San Jose, Henderson | Ontario and Colorado separated by 2 points |
Each team has about 5 or 6 games still to play in the regular season, and with playoff spots still up for grabs, not to mention division titles, it is going to be something of a frantic finish to the season.
Who Will Win The Calder Cup?
One thing that is clear is that we are going to have a new champion this season. The defending champion Abbotsford Canucks are not anywhere near the playoffs this season, which leaves the door open for a new Calder Cup winner. The Providence Bruins and the Grand Rapid Griffins are the only two teams to have broken the 100-point threshold as of now, so both teams need to be seen as a legitimate threat to make deep runs. They will have the bonus of getting the bye into the Division semi-finals, which also helps after a long, hard season. One team I would keep an eye on is the Charlotte Checkers. They went to the final last year and will be in the playoffs again this season. That experience may serve them well moving forward.
| Team | Why They Matter |
|---|---|
| Providence Bruins | One of only two teams over 100 points |
| Grand Rapid Griffins | Dominant season and over 100-point mark |
| Charlotte Checkers | Returning finalists with playoff experience |
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