Laval Rocket Season On The Line Versus Toronto Marlies

James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

While the Montreal Canadiens attempt to even their second-round series versus the Buffalo Sabres, their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, has been pushed to the brink in the AHL playoffs.

As it stands, Laval is tied 2-2 in their series versus the Toronto Marlies, and seeing as this is the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, it’s a best of five situation. In other words, Saturday’s Game 5, scheduled for 3 pm ET, will decide the series winner.

It’s a less-than-ideal scenario for the Rocket, a team that has shown fantastic adversity in a season that saw many of its best players make their way to Montreal.

Fortunately for Laval, defenceman Adam Engstrom was recently returned to the AHL, but the fact remains they’re playing without their starting goaltender, Jacob Fowler, who is currently serving as Jakub Dobes’ backup in the NHL.

Even when we factor in the loss of players to the NHL like Engstrom, David Reinbacher, Jared Davidson, Florian Xhekaj, Joshua Roy, and Owen Beck for various stretches, it’s worth noting Laval has managed to patch over the rough spots long enough to capture the North Division title, which means they will have home-ice advantage in Game 5 on Saturday, a crucial advantage due to the NHL-like atmosphere Rocket fans create at Place Bell on any given game day.

It’s supremely important in this particular case, as the Rocket are facing a ‘don’t lose-lose’ situation versus the Marlies, in what can only be described as a physical series.