As the 2025-26 season wraps up, the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds are gearing up for the playoffs with a solid 20-10-2-1 start under their belt. Securing a top-five finish in the OHL's Western Conference for the third time in five years, they've proven to be a formidable force. Even though they played .500 hockey towards the end, their playoff prospects are bright, thanks to stellar goaltending and offensive firepower from players like Marco Mignosa, who’s tied for sixth in OHL points.
Standing in their way are the London Knights, the two-time defending J. Ross Robertson Cup champions.
However, this season hasn't quite lived up to their usual standards. After dominating the Western Conference with top-two finishes over the past four years, including first-place triumphs in 2023-24 and 2024-25, the Knights slipped a bit this season.
While the numbers suggest a close matchup, the season series tells a different story. London took three of the four regular-season meetings, with two wins coming in shootouts. The Greyhounds claimed a decisive 5-2 victory in the fourth game, showcasing their potential to upset the reigning champs.
This series is a goaltender's dream. Sault Ste Marie's Carter George is entering his first postseason with impressive stats: a 13-7-3 record, a 2.33 goals against average, and a .916 save percentage. He’s backed by Landon Miller, who holds a 21-12-0-2 record, a 2.82 goals against average, and a .890 save percentage, along with three shutouts.
On the other side, the Knights boast two strong netminders. Sebastian Gatto enters with a stellar 2.29 goals against average and a .919 save percentage, ranking third and fourth in the OHL respectively. Aleksei Medvedev, while not as flashy, maintains a winning record of 16-14-2-1 over 35 starts.
So, who takes this series? It’s a tough call.
The Knights have the pedigree, making it to the last three OHL championship rounds and dominating their division since 2018. But the Greyhounds have shown they're no pushovers, proving their 2023-24 success was no fluke.
Expect this matchup to go the distance, potentially hinging on a few goaltending masterclasses. In the end, the Greyhounds’ ability to crack London’s defense might just give them the edge, sending the Knights into an early offseason.
My prediction? Greyhounds in seven.