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Grand Rapids Griffins in the 2026 AHL Playoffs
21 days agoUS
The Grand Rapids Griffins, after a record-breaking regular season, are facing tough competition in the 2026 AHL Calder Cup Playoffs. This article recaps their journey and challenges as they navigate the unpredictable postseason.
Key Insights
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The Griffins had an exceptional regular season, marked by a 23-1-0-1 start, the best in AHL history.
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Despite their regular-season success, the playoffs have been challenging, with the team facing elimination in the division finals.
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Goaltender Michal Postava has been the preferred starter, boasting a 1.82 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage in the playoffs.
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The Griffins need to address their scoring consistency and avoid losing leads, as they were 38-3-1-0 in the regular season when scoring first but are 0-2 in the current series.
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The series against the Chicago Wolves has been tightly contested, with six of the ten regular-season meetings decided by one goal.
In-Depth Analysis
The Grand Rapids Griffins entered the 2026 AHL Calder Cup Playoffs as one of the top teams, finishing the regular season with a 51-16-4-1 record. Their dominant performance included a historic start and a 15-game winning streak. However, the playoffs have presented a different challenge.
After losing Game 1 of their division semifinal series to the Manitoba Moose, the Griffins rallied to win three straight and advance. Now, facing the Chicago Wolves in the division finals, they find themselves in a precarious position after dropping the first two games at home.
In Game 1, Josiah Slavin’s goal gave the Wolves a 2-1 victory. Game 2 saw the Griffins take an early 2-0 lead, only for Chicago to come back and win 4-3 in overtime, with Felix Unger Sörum scoring the decisive goal.
Goaltending has been a key factor, with Michal Postava starting all six playoff games. While Postava has performed well, the Griffins also have Sebastian Cossa, a Detroit first-round pick, available.
The Griffins’ power play has been effective, clicking at 33.3 percent, but their overall scoring has declined compared to the regular season.
The team needs to regain its scoring touch and protect leads to advance in the playoffs. Losing leads has been a critical issue, as Dominik Shine noted after Game 2.
FAQs
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Q: What was the Griffins’ regular-season record?
The Griffins finished with a 51-16-4-1 record, one of the best in AHL history.
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Q: Who is the Griffins’ starting goalie in the playoffs?
Michal Postava has started all six playoff games.
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Q: What is the Griffins’ power-play percentage in the playoffs?
Their power play is clicking at 33.3 percent.
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Q: Have the Griffins ever come back from a 0-2 deficit in a best-of-five series?
Yes, they did it against Toronto in 2015.
Key Takeaways
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The Grand Rapids Griffins are facing a tough challenge in the AHL playoffs despite a dominant regular season.
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Key to their success will be maintaining leads and improving scoring consistency.
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Goaltending remains a strong point, with Michal Postava performing well.
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The series against the Chicago Wolves is a critical test of their championship aspirations.
Discussion
Do you think the Griffins can turn the series around? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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