The Rochester Americans (25-22-5-4) are looking to carry the “luck of the Irish” across the border today as they face the Toronto Marlies (28-20-5-5) at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Following a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory on Friday night that snapped a season-long nine-game winless skid, the Amerks have a chance to secure a vital weekend sweep and tighten the race in the North Division.
Rochester currently trails Toronto by seven points in the standings but holds two games in hand. If the postseason began today, these two rivals would meet in a best-of-three play-in round.
1. Levi Returns to the Crease
After Scott Ratzlaff earned the win on Friday with 31 saves, head coach Michael Leone is expected to turn back to Devon Levi for his league-leading 41st start of the year. Levi has a history of excellence in Toronto, including a career-high 52-save performance at Coca-Cola Coliseum in 2024. He enters today looking to snap a personal seven-game winless streak and build on his .905 save percentage.
2. Zac Jones Chasing History
Defenseman Zac Jones continues to put up historic numbers. By reaching the 50-point mark on Friday, he became the first Amerks blueliner to hit that milestone since 2018-19. Jones currently leads all AHL defensemen in scoring and is at a pace that could challenge Bob Hess’s 1980-81 franchise records for assists (58) and points (75) by a defenseman.
3. The “Konsta” Factor
Teenage sensation Konsta Helenius is officially on a tear. With a goal and an assist in Friday’s win, the Sabres’ 2024 first-round pick extended his point streak to five games. Helenius leads all Rochester forwards with 45 points and has proven to be a clutch performer, leading the team with four game-winning goals this season.
4. Special Teams Battle
Today’s matchup features a clash of strengths. Rochester boasts the top-ranked power play in the Eastern Conference, clicking at a 22.8% rate. They will be tested by a Toronto penalty kill that ranks 8th in the league at 83.3%. With Zac Jones leading the AHL in power-play points (31), the Amerks will look to exploit any undisciplined play from the Marlies.
5. Playoff Push Down the Stretch
With only 16 games remaining, every point is magnified. Despite recent struggles, the Amerks maintain a six-point cushion over Utica for the final playoff spot in the North Division. Facing the third-hardest remaining schedule in the Eastern Conference, Rochester needs to capitalize on head-to-head matchups like today to lower their “magic number,” which currently sits at 23.
Game Day Essentials
- Puck Drop: 4:00 PM ET
- Venue: Coca-Cola Coliseum
- Radio: 95.7 FM/950 AM WGR Rochester
- Video: AHLTV on FloHockey
The Hub Rules
Be a good teammate — let’s keep the conversation Blue & Gold.