Get the Laval Rocket into the playoffs
There may be no hope for the Montreal Canadiens to make the playoffs, but the Laval Rocket could still make a late push to the post-season.
Truth is out there, and the Montreal Canadiens will probably not be in the this year’s Stanely Cup Playoffs. There were a lot of factors that played a part in this, but a poor start and hole-filled roster will do that to any team. The Habs should have their eyes set on the upcoming Trade Deadline and eventual draft in June, but there is still hope for the Laval Rocket.
Laval had a decent start to their inaugural season going 5-3-2 in their first ten games. However, November and December had them lose more games than they’d win while picking up points whenever it would take overtime or a shootout to settle things.
The Rocket is just coming off a 4-0 win against the Belleville Senators where Adam Cracknell found the back the net twice. Charlie Lindgren also made 25 saves for the shutout bringing his save percentage to .897. It’s not ideal numbers for a goaltender of Lindgren’s calibre, but Laval has struggled with team defence for the whole season and he as well as Michael McNiven and Zachary Fucale have been casualties of that.
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Nevertheless, the Laval Rocket are still very much in the hunt for a playoff spot. They are currently fifth in the North Division with a .477 point percentage. It looks like similarly to last season as the St John’s IceCaps, this new franchise will have to battle it out with the Utica Comets.
Laval general manager Larry Carrière is probably already looking what’s around there to help the team, but they could get some help from the Habs. Marc Bergevin is going to start trading pieces for futures, and some of those pieces could find themselves playing for the Rocket as the season continues.
The goal from the entire organization, both NHL and AHL wise, should be to get the Laval Rocket into the playoffs. The farm team made it for the first time last season by the skin of their teeth, and it wouldn’t be ideal to make it seem like a fluke. Additionally, playoff hockey will enhance the development of some of the players on the team who fans hope to see in a Habs jersey full time.
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Players such as Michael McCarron, Nikita Scherbak, Noah Juulsen, and Brett Lernout to name a few have to be placed in more situations to grow and succeed. At the same time, as much as we can hope for management to add to the roster in some way, the rest of the team needs to find another gear and play with some consistency.
Laval can’t continue to lose a few here and win some there, they need to string together some wins, and they can build off the good things from their latest game to make it happen. It’ll be tough seeing as how they’ll be facing the league’s best in the Syracuse Crunch and Manitoba Moose, but this is what battling adversity is all about.
There are still another three months left of the season. Can they do it?
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What are your thoughts on the Laval Rocket? Should manage turn their focus to them so they can make the playoffs? Let us know what you think down below.