Introducing The Yelnats Cup Playoffs & Bracket Challenge

Hello Wilderness! It's starting to sink in: The playoff dance is starting and the Wild aren't invited. Well, who needs them when we now have the Yelnats Cup! ... I sense by your confused faces that you would like an explanation. The Yelnats Cup (or the reverse Stanley) is that second chance every team wants, it's the playoffs for all the non-playoff teams! Sure, there are huge rivalries made and cemeted in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but what about the rivalries between bottom feeders? This gives us some of us fans who haven't seen our team in the playoffs for a while a chance to keep cheering, even if we can't really see them play per se.

Wait a minute you syrupy moose, how does this work? Are you going to call up all the GMs of the non-playoff teams and get them together for this event? Umm... no.

Join me after the jump and find out! 

Every day, I will simulate one in-game day, so it'll be just like the real life playoffs. Every day, I'll post updates on HW of the action so far in the Yelnats playoffs, such as scores, individual player performances and the points leaders.

Here is the bracket:

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

Bye

vs.

vs.

vs.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

bye

vs.

vs.

vs.

Now let's look at these matchups as if they were real life matchups and let's see who has the advantage in each of them:

Advantage: Calgary. I predict Calgary in 5 as the Oilers are simply weaker in every aspect, especially in-game.

St-Louis Blues vs. Colorado Avalanche: This would be another one of those interesting matchups just because of THE trade. Erik Johnson would be motivated to try and prove his former GM wrong for trading him, same for Kevin Shattenkirk and Chris Stewart. While they don't necessarily have much of a rivalry, those three players alone would make this  matchup a headliner.

Goalie: Advantage St.- Louis: Jaroslav Halak vs. Brian Elliott... yes, Halak wins this matchup.

Advantage: St-Louis. This would actually be a very exciting matchup, as they're tight in all aspects except in net. I predict St-Louis in 6.

Advantage: Minnesota: I have to say, I was torn here. In real life, this could go either way if you ask me. No clear winner, but I'll take Minnesota in 6.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers: Well, to tell you the truth, I don't know quite as much about Eastern Conference rivalries, but my limited knowledge tells me this wouldn't exactly be the most epic of matchups. This doesn't necessarily mean that it's a meaningless battle however as both teams are itching for some playoff action and they would love to win the Yelnats Cup as a consolation for their long-time playoff-less streaks.

Advantage: Toronto. Florida's very clearly in a rebuilding phase as most of the name players are gone. Vokoun probably won't be able to win this matchup all by himself so Toronto in 6.

New Jersey Devils vs. New York Islanders: I think it's clear to everyone that the Devils should not be in this tournament. If not for that dismal start to the season, they'd be up with the big boys. Oh well! This is a matchup between division rivals, which could actually make it a bit interesting. I'm not fully aware of the level of hate there actually is between these teams though.

Advantage Devils: I just don't see how they could lose this matchup, but of course anything can happen. I say Devils in 4.

Atlanta Thrashers vs. Ottawa Senators: The Thrashers started the season so well, even leading their division at one point, but they just ran out of gas. This kind of reminds me of the Wild's collapse. Anyhoo, I have no clue how these teams feel about each other, but there are some pretty interesting players in each team and potential future matchups, such as Atlanta vs. Carolina or Ottawa vs. Toronto.

Goalies: Advantage.....: This proved to be too difficult a pick to make. Anderson/Leclaire vs. Mason/Pavelec. I have to admit, Pavelec seems like the best of the 4, but Anderson was a playoff hero last year and their combined ratings are nearly identical. I just couldn't choose.

Advantage: Ottawa: I think they win this one by Speeza and Alfredsson's star power. If they don't show up though, it'll be an uphill battle. Ottawa in 7.

There you have it! This was just a very quick analysis of the matchups, I'd appreciate knowing what you guys think of the matchups, your predictions and I'd love for the fans of all these teams to join us in the fun. All I want with this championship is to give us non-playoff teams' fans something to distract us while we wait for the draft and such and I'd love for this feature to bring the fanbases of each team closer together in good, clean fun!

I'll be doing daily updates, letting you know what's going on and such and I'll be doing the first simulations tomorrow night, at the same time as the real playoffs.

The rules will be the exact same as the HW Bracket Challenge, which you can view HERE

Keep in mind that in my analysis, I used the in-game rosters and ratings, last updated on April 1st.

Now what are you going to do for the next 2 months: Follow the fancy-pants NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, or follow the Yelnats Cup Playoffs here on HW.... or both? Yeah, both would be cool, I guess we can share! :)

History will be simulated.