The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate playoff run starts this week
by Chris G, Rocket Sports, Montreal Canadiens blogger
The Laval Rocket’s first opponent was determined on Saturday as the Cleveland Monsters (Columbus Blue Jackets) swept the Toronto Marlies in a best-of-three series. Due to the distance between the cities, the 2-2-1 format was not an option and the Rocket decided that they wanted the three home games at Place Bell at the end of the best-of-five series.
The date of the first game in Cleveland will be determined based on the outcome of Monday night’s NBA game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat. A Cavaliers victory would free up the Rocket Arena for the Monsters. If the Heat win, the AHL game will be played on Thursday. Regardless of the outcome of the basketball contest, the second game of the series will be played on Friday, followed by a Sunday match at Place Bell.
In the four-game season series, each team won two times, however Laval outscoring them 14-5. The Rocket netminders recorded a shutout in the two victories.
Roster News
With Cayden Primeau recalled by the Canadiens on Sunday, Jacob Fowler is expected to start the series between the pipes. He began his pro career with 2-1 record, 2.32 goals against average and .914 save percentage in three games. Luke Cavallin was recalled from the Trois-Rivieres Lions to serve the role as backup.
On Saturday, Rafael Harvey-Pinard and Brandon Gignac practised with regular jerseys for the first time since their respective injuries. Harvey-Pinaed has been sidelined with an upper body injury since March 15th, while Gignac has played one game since November 22 due to a lower body injury. If both receive the green light to start the series, there will be 17 available forwards on the roster.
Laurent Dauphin has been taking therapy days for every practice since the end of the regular season. In his last game, Dauphin did not take any faceoffs, which suggests that he’s playing with an upper body injury.
According to Le Matin newspaper in Switzerland, Connor Hughes has signed to return with Lausanne HC in the Swiss league next season. Hughes, currently sidelined with a lower body injury, has 15-12-2 record, 2.58 goals against average, .905 save percentage in 29 games.
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