Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Options Author
Nationwide Hockey League basic managers need their prospects taking part in intense, high-pressure AHL video games come March and April.
That was the driving power behind the AHL adopting a 23-team format for the Calder Cup Playoffs a number of years in the past. And with two weeks to go within the 2024-25 common season, 29 golf equipment are both already assured a playoff berth or nonetheless within the hunt. 13 groups stay alive with seven spots up for grabs.
These tight playoff races imply that prospects are getting that desired high-stakes hockey. Whether or not or not their groups make the postseason lower, these gamers are gaining invaluable expertise.
Being on the surface of the playoff image at this stage of the season makes for a tough process. However unattainable? Positively not.
Lately, the 2016-17 Stockton Warmth went on a 7-0-3-1 run to complete the common season and push their approach into the postseason. A yr later, the last-place San Jose Barracuda made up a 10-point hole with six consecutive wins to safe a berth. The Hartford Wolf Pack used an eight-game successful streak in late March and early April to get into the 2023 postseason, and final yr’s Belleville Senators gained eight of their final 9 to hold them into the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Here’s a have a look at the AHL groups which might be nonetheless alive however presently sitting outdoors of a playoff spot because the common season’s ultimate two weeks start.
BAKERSFIELD CONDORS
It was a tricky weekend for the Condors, little doubt.
Coming right into a two-game go to to Tucson, Bakersfield trailed the Roadrunners by only one level for the Pacific Division’s seventh and ultimate playoff spot. Two regulation losses later, that hole is now 5 factors with six video games to go.
That stated, the Condors have two elements going for them. They maintain two video games in hand on Tucson, and so they have additionally gotten stable play from goaltender Brett Brochu, who has stepped in for the recalled Olivier Rodrigue and given the Condors stable performances.
BELLEVILLE SENATORS
After final season’s late run, the B-Sens are again in territory that’s acquainted if nothing else.
Final weekend’s two-game residence collection towards Rochester began off nicely sufficient with a 5-0 win; Wyatt Bongiovanni’s standout season continued with two extra targets as he reached the 20-goal mark. However the Amerks pushed again on Saturday with a 4-0 victory, leaving the Senators six factors out of fifth place within the North Division.
A go to to Rochester on Wednesday begins a five-game street journey that continues in Springfield and Windfall, and the schedule ends with three video games towards league-leading Laval.
The Sens’ goaltending duo of Leevi Meriläinen and Malcolm Subban has been stable in internet, and has expertise in strain video games earlier than.
HENDERSON SILVER KNIGHTS
Saturday’s 4-1 Silver Knights win towards Coachella Valley accomplished the season collection with Henderson successful six of eight conferences with the two-time convention champions. It additionally allowed the Silver Knights’ high-wire act to proceed; however 11 factors out with six video games to go, there is no such thing as a margin for error.
Henderson closes out the common season with two residence video games towards Bakersfield, sandwiched round a four-game street swing to Colorado, San Diego and Bakersfield.
Carl Lindbom has had a terrific season, going 17-13-1 with a .915 save proportion, and Raphael Lavoie returned to the lineup final week and obtained into the scoring column Saturday.
IOWA WILD
Six factors out a playoff spot with 5 video games to go, the Wild have gained 4 in a row as they proceed to chase down the Rockford IceHogs for the Central Division’s ultimate playoff spot.
The Wild swept a two-game street set towards a top-tier opponent within the Texas Stars final Tuesday and Wednesday, outscoring their hosts 10-3. They then returned residence for back-to-back video games towards San Diego and grabbed 4-2 and 5-1 wins. Since getting back from the Minnesota Wild, high prospect Liam Öhgren has supplied 4 targets in seven video games.
The Wild host first-place Milwaukee on Wednesday, then it’s a weekend on the street for a pair of video games towards the Manitoba Moose. Iowa closes out at residence towards Chicago and Grand Rapids.
SAN DIEGO GULLS
The 2 losses in Des Moines left the Gulls 9 factors out with 5 video games left. Now it’s on to Bakersfield for a gathering with the Condors on Wednesday earlier than the street continues to Coachella Valley on Friday.
However San Diego has proven earlier than that they will get scorching: Their season was revived by a 10-1-0-1 stretch between Feb. 12 and Mar. 8. The Gulls have additionally gotten a jolt from defenseman Stian Solberg, the 2024 first-round draft choose who has 4 factors in eight video games since becoming a member of the membership.
UTICA COMETS
Regardless of what number of instances it has appeared that the season got here near getting away from the Comets, they’re nonetheless mathematically alive with six video games to go.
If the season had begun on Nov. 22, the Comets could be in fourth place within the North Division with a document of 29-20-4-0. However a forgettable begin that included a 13-game winless streak and a head-coaching change left Utica in a gap they’re nonetheless attempting to dig out of.
The Comets have gained 5 straight, together with a home-and-home sweep of Hershey and victories over Springfield and Windfall final weekend. They nonetheless might want to win out after which get appreciable assist to bump apart one among Toronto, Cleveland and Belleville. Syracuse visits on Wednesday earlier than a two-game weekend journey to Charlotte.
On the American Hockey League beat for 20 years, TheAHL.com options author Patrick Williams additionally presently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a daily contributor on SiriusXM NHL Community Radio. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his excellent protection of the league in 2016.
