Sixteen teams remain in both doubles and standard as we prepare for the start of the Season 17 playoffs in MLE. With this season comes a brand new playoff format that removes the first round bye for the #1 seed of each conference. Now, it’s the four division champions and the next two highest teams from each superdivision squaring off in what is likely a much more tightly contested playoff. Without any further ado (trust, there’s five of these previews), let’s get straight into it!
Doubles
#1 COM (33-17) vs #4 AVI (26-24)
The Comets come into this matchup chasing the franchise’s second championship as one of the favorites to take it all. This was a lineup made with all the intentions of putting the ball in the net. They lead the Blue Conference in Goal Differential with 52, which is second in ML only to the Ducks. Though the Aviators finished 7 games behind the Comets, they only have one series victory less than the Comets. In series, the Comets are 7-3, Aviators are 6-4. These two teams did not meet in the regular season.
Likely players for Comets: ItalianGini, Jolo, Stingray
Likely players for Aviators: Shiesty, Remy, Jayyy
Boog’s Prediction: Comets in 4
#2 SHD (25-25) vs #3 TYR (26-24)
Shadow managed to steal the Storm Division from the Lightning by a single game, which is why they are the #2 seed despite the Tyrants having a better record. Although they are a division champion, Shadow may not be in for a deep run due to the .500 record, negative series record of 4-6, and negative Goal Differential of -7. The Tyrants are not without their own regular season woes. They boast the lowest Goal Diff. of -13, a series record of 5-5. This match will either be a blowout or extremely tight.
Likely players for Shadow: P2K, Cool, MikeIsMyIke
Likely players for Tyrants: SolarSide, YTStorm, Coley
Boog’s Prediction: Tyrants in 5
#1 JETS (34-16) vs #4 SAB (25-25)
The Jets are bringing the thunder against a .500 Sabres team. The Sabres are about as statistically average as a team could be, as they have a .500 record, near 0 Goal Diff and 4-6 in series. The Jets, on the other hand, are bringing a moderate 28 Goal Diff, which is not the highest in ML, but is definitely respectable. The Jets have an ML best 68% winrate this season, and a 7-3 series record. All things on paper are pointing to a very short playoff run for the Sabres.
Likely players for Jets: ThunderTung, Bamboo, Frehgrunce
Likely players for Sabres: Sparcnova, Halibut, Yoky
Boog’s Prediction: Jets in 3
#2 FOX (28-22) vs #3 HUR (26-24)
The Foxes find themselves against a franchise that has had a knack for finding ways to the Grand Finals (See: Season 10) in the past. Only time will tell if the Hurricanes can keep up with that trend. The Foxes may have a better record, but the Hurricanes have a much better Goal Diff with 35 than the Foxes 13. Both teams boast a series record of 6-4, so keep an eye on this one to be the best match of the first round. This will likely be another tightly contested match.
Likely players for Foxes: KeylessCreature, Ac3, Genesis
Likely players for Hurricanes: Jay Jr, Snakpak, Morgan
Boog’s Prediction: Canes in 5
#1 BUL (30-20) vs #4 HAW (26-24)
The Bulls once again are a Master League powerhouse as they look for yet another championship. The Bulls of the last few seasons have been a force to be reckoned with as they have made several Grand Final appearances. They draw the Hawks in the first round, who squeaked out one more win than the Rhinos and Pandas for their playoff spot. Both teams have positive Goal Diff, so look for this to be a defensive masterclass on both sides of the pitch. Stats favor the Bulls as they have a Goal Diff of 55. It should be noted that the Hawks are 1.5 points below cap.
Likely players for Bulls: Welendish, ImLeo, CheffReaper
Likely players for Hawks: TS_Celestial, Timmy, ScreaminAce
Boog’s Prediction: Bulls in 4
#2 DUC (30-20) vs #3 EXP (28-22)
The Ducks won what appears to be a statistically weak Tropic division, and their prize for doing so, is the team that lost the Forge Division tiebreaker: Express. This looks to be one of the closest matches of the first round as the Express are going to come out hungry since losing the tiebreaker. The Express have the better series record of 6-4, but a smaller Goal Diff. These numbers scream that if Express can keep the scoring low on both sides, Express will prevail. The issue? The Ducks boast a Master League best 66 Goal Differential. The Ducks, if the offense is firing on all cylinders, will fly right through the Choo Choo Train.
Likely players for Ducks: EliteInferno, Wolfie, Tuhlur
Likely players for Express: Hermod, K5Marky, 1AMRamen
Boog’s prediction: Ducks in 3
#1 DOD (33-17) vs #4 OUT (26-24)
Far and away the best team out of the Orange Conference is the Dodgers, having only dropped a single series in ML this season. The unfortunate team facing this uphill climb? The Outlaws, who finished 3rd in the Forge Division. Though they put up positive numbers, the Outlaws are staring down probably the toughest draw of the whole bracket for 2s. Both of these teams ended up finishing the regular season with their salaries raised over the cap with the Dodgers up to 84.0 and the Outlaws up to 83.5. The ML cap is 82.0. Obviously both teams have improved massively, so we’ll have to wait and see how it shakes out.
Likely players for Dodgers: NotADuck, KoD, Kaydo
Likely players for Outlaws: Blahdat, SyrupBlood, Jatron
Boog’s Prediction: Dodgers in 4
#2 KNI (28-22) vs #3 FLA (31-19)
The Knights, winners of the Forge Division via tiebreaker, draw a lower seed with a better record in the Flames. It’s not often the higher seed is facing the uphill battle, but it is odd that it’s already happened twice and we haven’t even touched threes yet. The Forge Division was extremely close in doubles, and the Volcanic Division was extremely top heavy. Though the Flames are 31-19, their series record is only 6-4, so many of the losses must have been tightly contested 2-3 series. The Knights also have a series record of 6-4 and even boast a better Goal Diff.
Likely players for Knights: Styzzi, Rayinator, JKFrost
Likely players for Flames: K-lub, Pops42, RedNovaUltimate
Boog’s Prediction: Flames in 5
Standard
#1 WIZ (30-20) vs #4 BLI (25-25)
The Wizards are the lone representative of the Mystic Division in threes and they face the Blizzard, who finished second in the Storm Division. Neither of these franchises made the cut in doubles, so all of the effort will be put into a playoff run over here in threes. The Wizards are 8-2 in series with a respectable Goal Differential of 33. The Blizzard is 4-6 in series with a -2 Goal Diff. On paper, it looks like the Blizzard limped into postseason play, however, don’t count out this roster as they have two former champions in JDogg and MattAnderr on the roster.
Likely players for Wizards: Snipe, Precision, Dewby
Likely players for Blizzard: JDogg, MattAnderr, Mercantile
Boog’s Prediction: Blizzard in 5
#2 LIT (31-19) vs #3 PUF (27-23)
The Storm Division winning Lightning square off against the Puffins in what I anticipate will be probably the most physical first round matchup in all of MLE this playoff. The ML Puffins have some of the most physical players in all of ML on the roster in Moxen, Spidey and Torston. If they can capitalize on this, the Lightning will struggle to capitalize on the mismatch in salary as the Puffins have nobody above 16.5, while the LOWEST player on the Lightning is a 16.5.
Likely players for Lightning: Any of the four of them
Likely players for Puffins: Torston, Moxen, Spidey
Boog’s Prediction: Puffins in 4
#1 AVI (32-18) vs #4 FOX (24-26)
The Sky Division Champ Aviators will face off against the Foxes. These franchises are looking to make deep playoff runs in both modes, but how will they fare knowing they have to play in both modes? Will burnout become a factor? Probably not in the first round, at least. The Foxes may have a losing record, but they’ve won six of their ten matches. They have found ways to win and it has gotten them this far, however, I don’t know that they have what it takes to take down the Aviators, who seem to be unable to stop winning.
Likely players for Aviators: Shiesty, Remy, Jayyy
Likely players for Foxes: KeylessCreature, Ac3, Genesis
Boog’s Prediction: Aviators in 4
#2 SAB (29-21) vs #3 WOL (28-22)
Another team gearing up for two playoff runs in the Sabres will meet up against the Wolves. These teams are separated by a single game, and have similar Goal Diff numbers. This is going to be an entertaining match as This looks to go the distance as either a defensive masterclass or an offensive showcase. Either way, this series is a viewer’s delight. This Wolves team is built for threes as they finished last in the Storm Division in doubles. I wouldn’t be surprised if either of these teams go on a deep run.
Likely players for Sabres: Sparcnova, Halibut, Yoky
Likely players for Wolves: FlyFyre74, Shraxl, Collobir
Boog’s Prediction: Wolves in 5
#1 BEA (32-18) vs #4 SHA (23-27)
The Battle for Land and Sea takes place as the Bears are heavy favorites to take a chomp out of the Sharks. These teams are separated by almost ten games, which is almost unheard of in an MLE playoff matchup. The Sharks limped into the playoffs with the lowest record of all teams in ML to earn a postseason berth, as well as a negative Goal Diff. The Bears could make MLE history with a perfect sweep if they show up ready to go. With a Goal Diff of 49, it’ll be hard to stop the Bears.
Likely players for Bears: Limon, Canadian, Crypt
Likely players for Sharks: Dimensions, Water, RONA
Boog’s Prediction: Bears in 3
#2 DUC (27-23) vs #3 PAN (29-21)
Yet again, we have another 3 seed with a better record than the division champion they face. The Pandas are looking to make a run into the second round as the Ducks have to put their eggs in the nests of doubles and standard. The only statistical advantage the Ducks hold is series record. The Ducks managed to win 7 of their matches while the Pandas only won 5. The Pandas also have a marginally better Goal Differential. I expect this matchup to be rather close, though not the closest match in round one.
Likely players for Ducks: EliteInferno, Wolfie, Tuhlur
Likely players for Pandas: Jarhead, Drakob, Deuce
Boog’s Prediction: Pandas in 4
#1 DOD (36-14) vs #4 BUL (27-23)
The Dodgers have turned into somewhat of a superteam this season, boasting the best ML record in threes and the second-best record in doubles. They matchup against another team making two playoff runs in the Bulls, who won their division in twos, but not threes. I expect this matchup to be electric as both teams are high-caliber and consistent across both modes of play. Although, I believe the Dodgers’ have what it takes to win it all in threes. They are my pick for the Orange Conference. The only thing holding back the Bulls’ standard lineup is that tough -8 Goal Diff compared to the Dodgers’ 42.
Likely players for Dodgers: NotADuck, KoD, Kaydo
Likely players for Bulls: Welendish, ImLeo, CheffReaper
Boog’s Prediction: Dodgers in 3
#2 OUT (28-22) vs #3 FLA (32-18)
The Flames would have either won or been tied for a division crown in literally any other division in ML. They finished second to the white-hot Dodgers in the Volcanic Division. The Outlaws won a weak Forge Division, earning them their spot at #2. Though the Flames have 4 games up on the Outlaws, the Outlaws actually have the better Goal Differential at 26, granted that isn’t too much higher than the Flames at 22. Both teams have the same series record at 7-3. This matchup is one to keep an eye on, but I believe the Flames have had a much tougher schedule. After all, they did have to play those pesky Dodgers twice.
Likely players for Flames: K-lub, Pops42, RedNovaUltimate
Likely players for Outlaws: Blahdat, SyrupBlood, Jatron
Boog’s Prediction: Flames in 4
And that’s all the first round matchups in Master League! Of course there will be plenty to cover across the entire playoff as matches happen, so be on the lookout for either myself or other writers to crank out more previews as the playoffs continue. If you’re in the playoffs, GLHF. If you’re just reading this for funsies, thanks for sticking around and be sure to watch the playoffs on stream whenever you’re able. This new format sets up exciting matchups all the way through the bracket.
