Experts download: here are the surprises of the League playoffs

The league’s regular season is starting to turn towards its end, and eyes are already shifting to the spring playoffs.

SuomiKiekko interviewed the expert duo for the spring playoffs, Jesse Joensuu and Lasse Kukkonen, before the playoff push starting at the end of March.

Joensuu immediately assesses that the first round of the playoffs will offer exciting matchups.

– The first round is going to be tough. There are teams that have a chance to challenge for the championship, and on the other hand, there are those for whom just making the playoffs is a big achievement.

According to Joensuu, short playoff series can level the playing field.

– In a best-of-five series, anything can happen. That’s why the first round could become really interesting.

Kiekko-Espoo and Lukko potential dark horses

As a potential dark horse for the spring, Joensuu highlights Kiekko-Espoo.

– They have built their team a bit differently than others. There is experience and physicality, and it looks like a playoff team.

Joensuu’s expert partner Lasse Kukkonen, on the other hand, points to Rauman Lukko as a dark horse.

– Lukko has a really good team and quality goaltending. They could very well surprise in the spring.

Overall, Kukkonen is looking forward to the upcoming spring.

– We have had a really surprising and interesting league season, and it bodes well for the playoffs. It will be nice to see if, for example, Raipe and Lappeenranta can shine again, Kukkonen mentions.

The first round of the league playoffs begins between the teams placed fifth and twelfth on March 20.