The league-leading Laval Rocket host the Rochester Americans this Saturday afternoon in the FloHockey AHL Game of the Week (3:00 p.m. ET).

In the opener of the teams’ two-game series Friday night at Place Bell, Laval (36-15-2-1) took a 4-3 come-from-behind win on two goals from Alex Barré-Boulet. Connor Hughes had 22 saves as the Rocket overcame Rochester’s 2-0 second-period lead. Friday’s victory nudged the Rocket one point past Rochester into the AHL points lead, 75-74. The Rocket, who have won four in a row, hold one game in hand on Rochester. Right behind the two clubs at 73 points are the defending Hershey Bears, who face Cleveland on Saturday.

The Amerks (34-15-3-3) are winless in their past three games following a run of 11 wins in 13 contests. Following Saturday’s matinee, they will be home for five of their following six contests as they try to overtake Laval for the North Division lead.

Saturday’s game will complete the teams’ regular-season series at Place Bell. They will meet one more time this season, a game at Rochester on April 11.

Rochester Americans at Laval Rocket

Saturday, 3:00 p.m. ET* – Place Bell 

Where to Watch: Subscribers can continue to watch via FloHockey.tv or the FloSports app.

Free Streams: Follow the game across FloHockey's social channels including YouTube, Facebook and X. More details below.

Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres)

Buffalo brought in help for an already talent Rochester blue line, acquiring Erik Brännström from the New York Rangers for forward Nicolas Aubé-Kubel at Friday’s NHL trade deadline.

Brännström, 25, has 3-13-16 in 14 AHL games this season between the Abbotsford Canucks and Hartford Wolf Pack. He had been acquired by the New York Rangers on Jan. 31 from the Vancouver Canucks but only appeared in six games with the Wolf Pack before Friday’s deal. He has also played 294 NHL games since the Vegas Golden Knights selected him fifth overall in the 2017 NHL Draft.

Devon Levi, the AHL Goaltender of the Month for February, had 28 saves in Friday’s defeat and has started four of Rochester’s past five contests. Levi is 19-7-3 | 2.25 | .917 in 29 games; he is tied for fourth in the AHL in goals-against average and tied for third overall in save percentage. Back-up Michael Houser is 5-4-2 | 2.83 | .893 in 14 appearances.

Zachary Metsa is sixth among AHL defenseman in points (5-27-32) while Kale Clague (9-23-32) is tied for sixth in the league at the position in goals. Rookie Vsevolod Komarov, Ryan Johnson, Jack Rathbone, and Nikita Novikov complete one of the AHL’s best blue lines.

Isak Rosén’s 26 goals tie him for third in the AHL, and he ranks fourth in league scoring with 50 points through 51 games for the Amerks, who have the Eastern Conference’s second-most potent offense at 3.45 goals per game going into Saturday. However, Buffalo recalled Rosén and forward Josh Dunne on Friday as emergency recalls.

Forward Brett Murray, whose 23 goals are second-most on the Rochester roster, returned to action Friday for the first time since Feb. 22. Konsta Helenius, selected by Buffalo 14th in last June’s NHL Draft, has 9-18-27 in 49 games as an 18-year-old. Anton Wahlberg, 19, is 9-13-22 in 46 games in his first full AHL season after Buffalo made him a 2023 second-round pick. Noah Östlund’s goal Friday gave him 11 in 34 games this season; now 20 years old, he went to Buffalo as the 16th pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Rochester announced this week that forward Viktor Neuchev is out for the season following shoulder surgery. Veteran defenseman Ethan Prow has been limited to 18 games this season and only five since Dec. 28.

The Rochester penalty kill is second in the AHL at 85.5 percent while the power play is 16th (19.2 percent).

Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens)

Cayden Primeau should get the start Saturday as Laval’s goaltending rotation continues. He had 30 stops in this past Wednesday’s 5-1 home win against Utica and is 13-2-0 | 2.37 | .908 in 15 games this season. Jakub Dobeš, who is on recall with Montreal, was made eligible Friday to play with Laval during the rest of the regular season and Calder Cup Playoffs.

First-round picks Logan Mailloux (12-17-29) and David Reinbacher headline the Laval defense corps They are joined by Adam Engström, rookie Florian Xhekaj (a league-leading 137 penalty minutes), William Trudeau, and Tyler Wotherspoon.

Barré-Boulet is in his first season with the Montreal organization and carries a five-game point streak (4-4-8). His 47 points (16-31-47) in 47 games lead the team while fellow veteran Laurent Dauphin is at 18-22-40 in 46 games. Prospects Jared Davidson and Joshua Roy each have 19 goals. Like Dobeš, rookie AHL All-Star forward Owen Beck remains with the Canadiens, but will be eligible to rejoin the Rocket at any point.

How To Watch AHL Free Stream On YouTube

On Saturdays throughout the season, the AHL and FloHockey will present a free Game of the Week on YouTube. The home team's broadcast will be shared as a free stream on FloHockey's YouTube page. The free broadcast will begin shortly before puck drop. Check FloHockey and AHL social channels to see which game will be streaming each week.

WATCH HERE

How To Watch AHL Free Stream On X

On Saturdays throughout the season, the AHL and FloHockey will present a free Game of the Week on X (formerly known as Twitter). The home team's broadcast will be shared as a free stream on FloHockey's Twitter page. The free broadcast will begin shortly before puck drop, posted on FloHockey's X feed. Check FloHockey and AHL social channels to see which game will be streaming each week.

WATCH HERE

How To Watch AHL Free Stream On Facebook

On Saturdays throughout the season, the AHL and FloHockey will present a free Game of the Week on Facebook. You can access the game multiple ways on the Facebook. FloHockey will stream both home and road (if available) broadcasts on its Facebook page. The game can also be found live on the AHL's Facebook page.

WATCH HERE

How To Watch The AHL On FloHockey 

The AHL is streaming on FloHockey and the FloSports app. Live games, replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms. 

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