It might not seem like it since the trade deadline was only two weeks ago and we're only on sim Days 167 & 168 today. Believe it or not, this is the final week of the regular season! It's slightly skewed by having 14 sims left in the schedule so only two NHL teams and five AHL teams have claimed playoff spots but this playoff race is wiiiiiiiiide open this year! It's kind of wild to think that as of this post, the Blue Jackets are 11th in points and the Panthers have a +27 goal differential and both are sitting on the outside of the playoffs. Every point gained or lost is going to count in both conferences!
We've been able to maintain the double-sim schedule without any big incidents. That puts us on pace to conclude the regular season on Sunday, June 23 Saturday, June 22, where only the pivotal Day 180 will be simulated. I'm not yet sure whether the playoffs are going to begin on Tuesday or Wednesday just yet. The plan is to begin NHL playoffs next Tuesday, June 25 so that all NHL series' will have started before I leave in Eric's hands during my vacation. Regardless of the actual starting date, the sim environment will see two rest days calculated in between the regular season and playoffs.
The announcement of the AHL playoffs starting day will come once the matchups are close to set. Remember that the first-round is a best-of-five series. Geography is a major factor of AHL playoff format, so most first-round series are usually a 2-3 format.
Round 1 of the playoffs will go back to one simulation per day. The second round might be sped up to two simulations on some days. The conference finals and the Cup finals will definitely be run with both leagues having a game each night. Of course, no team will have two games simulated on the same day and "off days" do still count in favor of your players' condition/health.
As every year, teams in the playoffs are expected to always have valid lineups, since this is the reason you are playing sim hockey! You will have one warning for the entire playoffs if your lineups are out of compliance. Anything more than that will result in a fine, which will be double the regular season amount. Any games that lineups are not submitted at all for (blank lines) will result in an automatic fine, just as it was during the regular season.
Teams also have the ability to call up as many players as they want for the NHL playoffs -- However, the simulator still requires you to dress a 20-man team at both levels, even if you no longer have games. Be careful with this if you want to adjust your playoff rosters beyond the usual regular season limits.
Only players who met the AHL Clear Day requirements are permitted to play in the Calder Cup playoffs. Attempts to assign any other players will be rejected and do count towards the one lineup warning in the playoffs, so if you are not sure of a player's eligibility, look it up or ask first!
As alluded to earlier, the AHL playoff format does not necessarily follow a traditional 2-2-1 or 2-2-2-1 schedule. Because of this, our website can have trouble showing who is actually leading a series while it is being played. Please closely follow your game results to verify whether you have won or lost a series!
Draft Lottery
I have some ideas about when the Draft Lottery might take place but I need time to see how things play out. I hope to have an announcement about when the lottery will take place within the next couple of weeks.
Numbers will be randomly drawn (1st, then 2nd) and matched up to the list of numbers that teams will be assigned to, based on their odds of winning, to determine which teams will own the first two picks in the draft. At that point, the draft order from 16 to 1 will be announced.
You are responsible for dressing a competitive lineup throughout the regular season and the playoffs. Don't make bad decisions with your lineup that costs you your chance to win the draft lottery and lose top picks! One team already has forfeited their first-round pick for this year and it doesn't need to be more.
2024 EHE Playoffs & Draft Lottery
Re: 2024 EHE Playoffs & Draft Lottery
I've realized that the accelerated sim schedule actually sets us to close out the season on SATURDAY instead! I must have originally considered Clear Day as a single-sim day but we ended up doing two. You've decided through the poll in Discord that we'll keep this pace for the final sims tonight and tomorrow.
This means that playoffs will begin on TUESDAY night! I'll try to have a first-round schedule done by the end of Saturday, since I won't be around Sunday until the evening.
This means that playoffs will begin on TUESDAY night! I'll try to have a first-round schedule done by the end of Saturday, since I won't be around Sunday until the evening.
Re: 2024 EHE Playoffs & Draft Lottery
Just a reminder before I head out on vacation: The AHL playoffs begin tomorrow night with the Canucks and Condors. All others begin on Friday night.
Utica vs. Belleville, Chicago vs. Grand Rapids, and Henderson vs. Coachella Valley are all 2-2-1 series'. The rest are 2-3 for the best-of-five first round.
There will be no simulation on Thursday, July 4.
Utica vs. Belleville, Chicago vs. Grand Rapids, and Henderson vs. Coachella Valley are all 2-2-1 series'. The rest are 2-3 for the best-of-five first round.
There will be no simulation on Thursday, July 4.
Re: 2024 EHE Playoffs & Draft Lottery
Here is the Draft Lottery Lookup Chart for everyone's randomly-assigned "lottery balls."
The odds of winning the EHE draft lottery are exactly the same as how they are determined in the real NHL:
SJ: 18.5%
MTL: 13.5%
CHI: 13.0%*
OTT: 9.5%
EDM: 8.5%
TB: 7.5%
UTA: 6.5%
LA: 6.0%
DET: 5.0%
WSH: 3.5%
ANA: 3.5%^
NSH: 2.5%
VGK: 2.0%
CBJ: 0.5%
* combined from NY Islanders and own picks
^ combined from Florida and own picks
The odds of winning the EHE draft lottery are exactly the same as how they are determined in the real NHL:
SJ: 18.5%
MTL: 13.5%
CHI: 13.0%*
OTT: 9.5%
EDM: 8.5%
TB: 7.5%
UTA: 6.5%
LA: 6.0%
DET: 5.0%
WSH: 3.5%
ANA: 3.5%^
NSH: 2.5%
VGK: 2.0%
CBJ: 0.5%
* combined from NY Islanders and own picks
^ combined from Florida and own picks
Re: 2024 EHE Playoffs & Draft Lottery
Three game 7's tomorrow night at the NHL level! That's put a little cramp in my planning for Round 2 scheduling but I think I've got it handled.
Two AHL series' will begin on Tuesday night -- this sim will be late, probably in the 1-2am EDT range -- Charlotte vs W-B/Scranton and Chicago vs Calgary. Both series are 2-3-2 format.
My plan is to have ALL other series' start on Wednesday night, although the sim days will vary -- meaning this will be a double-sim. The Rangers vs Hurricanes, Belleville vs Syracuse, and Coachella Valley vs Bakersfield are naturally scheduled to begin on Wednesday night. All are 2-2-2-1 format. The remaining three NHL series to be decided will likely be part of a second sim to be run that night. This also means Game 2 of CHA/WBS and CHI/CGY will be simulated that night.
I think most of the rest of the second round should follow a normal schedule. There might be some double-sims towards the end of the round if any series finish quickly but there is nothing yet decided.
Two AHL series' will begin on Tuesday night -- this sim will be late, probably in the 1-2am EDT range -- Charlotte vs W-B/Scranton and Chicago vs Calgary. Both series are 2-3-2 format.
My plan is to have ALL other series' start on Wednesday night, although the sim days will vary -- meaning this will be a double-sim. The Rangers vs Hurricanes, Belleville vs Syracuse, and Coachella Valley vs Bakersfield are naturally scheduled to begin on Wednesday night. All are 2-2-2-1 format. The remaining three NHL series to be decided will likely be part of a second sim to be run that night. This also means Game 2 of CHA/WBS and CHI/CGY will be simulated that night.
I think most of the rest of the second round should follow a normal schedule. There might be some double-sims towards the end of the round if any series finish quickly but there is nothing yet decided.
Re: 2024 EHE Playoffs & Draft Lottery
I'm hoping to wrap up the second round of the playoffs on Saturday with Days 29 and hopefully 30. Two game 7's that have seen teams come back from 0-3 deficits to reach this point! Two Conference Finals spots are on the line!!
From what I've plotted out, each conference will have two rest days between the second round and the Conference Finals. With these long series and home ice advantage completely up in the air, it's been a bit difficult trying to figure out when each NHL series will start. The only thing set is that the Gretzky Conference Finals will begin on the sim before the Lemieux Conference. Whether the start of either series is being simulated on Sunday or Monday, I will not know until Saturday night. I'll reach out to whoever is involved as well.
The AHL Conference Finals have a little bit more structure. Syracuse vs. W-B/Scranton will begin a traditional 2-2-2-1 series this weekend but I'm not sure which day yet. Chicago vs. Coachella Valley will begin a 2-3-2 series on the same day as the Gretzky Finals.
Starting Monday Sunday, for certain, two simulations should be run for the remainder of the playoffs. Remember that when double-sims take place, each team will still play no more than once on a day in real-time. A player will still recover on any day off set in the sim schedule. If a GM is unable to address a lineup issue as a result of a double-sim, speak with me so that we can accommodate you!
From what I've plotted out, each conference will have two rest days between the second round and the Conference Finals. With these long series and home ice advantage completely up in the air, it's been a bit difficult trying to figure out when each NHL series will start. The only thing set is that the Gretzky Conference Finals will begin on the sim before the Lemieux Conference. Whether the start of either series is being simulated on Sunday or Monday, I will not know until Saturday night. I'll reach out to whoever is involved as well.
The AHL Conference Finals have a little bit more structure. Syracuse vs. W-B/Scranton will begin a traditional 2-2-2-1 series this weekend but I'm not sure which day yet. Chicago vs. Coachella Valley will begin a 2-3-2 series on the same day as the Gretzky Finals.
Starting Monday Sunday, for certain, two simulations should be run for the remainder of the playoffs. Remember that when double-sims take place, each team will still play no more than once on a day in real-time. A player will still recover on any day off set in the sim schedule. If a GM is unable to address a lineup issue as a result of a double-sim, speak with me so that we can accommodate you!
Re: 2024 EHE Playoffs & Draft Lottery
Everything has now been solidified for the Conference Finals! I decided it was a bit too bullish to start the Calder Cup Finals last night. So tonight will start our double-sim schedule for the duration of the playoffs. Each Calder Cup series will begin tonight, as well as the Gretzky Conference Finals between Seattle and Colorado. These will be Days 31 and 32 (which actually somehow are the accurate Day numbers now -- I don't think that's ever happened before in 10 years of running these sims).
Here is the expected sim schedule for the Conference Finals:
Sun. 7/21 - Days 31 & 32
Mon. 7/22 - Days 33 & 34
Tue: 7/23 - Days 35 & 36
Wed. 7/24 - Days 37 & 38
Thu. 7/25 - Days 39 & 40*
Fri. 7/26 - Days 41* & 42*
Sat. 7/27 - Days 43* & 44*
Sun. 7/28 - Day 45*
*if necessary
The simulations on Friday and next Sunday will be a little up in the air and, of course, depend on how long each series lasts. I have to work out of town both of those days. I hope Eric will be able to sim Day 41, which works out since that is my own potential game anyway. I think I'll be back in time to do Day 42 that night. Then if there is a Day 45, I might ask Eric to simulate that one too even though I think I should be home by the late afternoon.
Here is the expected sim schedule for the Conference Finals:
Sun. 7/21 - Days 31 & 32
Mon. 7/22 - Days 33 & 34
Tue: 7/23 - Days 35 & 36
Wed. 7/24 - Days 37 & 38
Thu. 7/25 - Days 39 & 40*
Fri. 7/26 - Days 41* & 42*
Sat. 7/27 - Days 43* & 44*
Sun. 7/28 - Day 45*
*if necessary
The simulations on Friday and next Sunday will be a little up in the air and, of course, depend on how long each series lasts. I have to work out of town both of those days. I hope Eric will be able to sim Day 41, which works out since that is my own potential game anyway. I think I'll be back in time to do Day 42 that night. Then if there is a Day 45, I might ask Eric to simulate that one too even though I think I should be home by the late afternoon.
Re: 2024 EHE Playoffs & Draft Lottery
I've set the Cup Finals schedule. Good luck to those who are 4 wins away from winning our 10th season!! Brandyn came so close to going for the double!
Seattle did what I could not do and their Cinderella story continues as they face the powerhouse Sabres. It's a pure matchup of an offensive goliath against a defensive wall.
Syracuse continues to mow over teams, sweeping round 1, winning round 2 in 5, and winning round 3 in 6. But in their way stand a veteran-laden Wolves team in front of a surprise goalie who can't seem to lose. Following the trend, Syracuse would win in 7 but can the Wolves buck it? We've seen the story once before when Mat Robson led Utica to the Calder Cup.
Here is the expected sim schedule for the Conference Finals:
Mon. 7/29 - Day 47
Tue: 7/30 - Day 49
Wed. 7/31 - Days 50 & 51
Thu. 8/1 - Day 53
Fri. 8/2 - Day 55
Sat. 8/3 - Day 57*
Sun. 8/4 - Day 59*
Mon. 8/5 - Day 61*
*if necessary
You'll note the single schedule on most of the days. As it worked out, most of the games are going to take place on the same sim date. There is one quirk with the AHL schedule that Syracuse and Chicago will play Games 1 & 2 back to back. The Crunch are weird with their playoff scheduling that way.
I will try to sim some games a little early when I can, since all of the remaining GMs involved are in the N.A. Eastern time zone. It depends on how quickly I can get home from work and what lineup files I see submitted. Good luck!
Seattle did what I could not do and their Cinderella story continues as they face the powerhouse Sabres. It's a pure matchup of an offensive goliath against a defensive wall.
Syracuse continues to mow over teams, sweeping round 1, winning round 2 in 5, and winning round 3 in 6. But in their way stand a veteran-laden Wolves team in front of a surprise goalie who can't seem to lose. Following the trend, Syracuse would win in 7 but can the Wolves buck it? We've seen the story once before when Mat Robson led Utica to the Calder Cup.
Here is the expected sim schedule for the Conference Finals:
Mon. 7/29 - Day 47
Tue: 7/30 - Day 49
Wed. 7/31 - Days 50 & 51
Thu. 8/1 - Day 53
Fri. 8/2 - Day 55
Sat. 8/3 - Day 57*
Sun. 8/4 - Day 59*
Mon. 8/5 - Day 61*
*if necessary
You'll note the single schedule on most of the days. As it worked out, most of the games are going to take place on the same sim date. There is one quirk with the AHL schedule that Syracuse and Chicago will play Games 1 & 2 back to back. The Crunch are weird with their playoff scheduling that way.
I will try to sim some games a little early when I can, since all of the remaining GMs involved are in the N.A. Eastern time zone. It depends on how quickly I can get home from work and what lineup files I see submitted. Good luck!