In a high-stakes showdown with playoff implications, the Laval Rocket (37-19-5) are set to face off against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (37-15-8) on Wednesday night at Place Bell.
A win for Laval would clinch their playoff spot for the fourth time in five years. Even a single point could secure their place, provided the Belleville Senators fall to the Cleveland Monsters in their concurrent matchup.
GEARING UP FOR THE FINAL STRETCH
Laval's roster saw some significant changes over the weekend with two trades and a couple of key signings.
The Canadiens traded forward Riley Kidney for forward Jake Chiasson and goaltender Hunter Shepard from the Ottawa Senators. In a related move, defenseman Ryan O’Rourke was sent to the Belleville Senators. Shepard is set to back up Kaapo Kähkönen on Wednesday night.
Earlier, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes signed American defenseman Luke Mittelstadt to a two-year deal (2026-2027 and 2027-2028), along with a one-way agreement with the Rocket for the remainder of the 2025-2026 season. Mittelstadt is eligible to join Laval immediately.
Additionally, the Rocket secured big-bodied forward Dillan Bentley from the UMass-Lowell River Hawks for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 seasons. Bentley also received a professional tryout contract, allowing him to play for Laval this season.
WELCOME BACK, RHP!
For the first time in his career, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard will be playing as a visitor at Place Bell. The all-time playoff points leader for the club, and third in regular season scoring, now skates with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate.
“I really appreciated ‘HP,’ so it’s tough not having him on our side,” admitted coach Pascal Vincent. “I wish him the best because he’s such a good person.
I’m sure he’ll put on a great performance. With him, it’s always a good show.”
THREE KEY STATS
- Marc Del Gaizo has tallied four points in his last four games.
- Florian Xhekaj has netted two shorthanded goals in his last four outings.
- David Reinbacher boasts a +6 rating over his last four matchups.
QUICK NOTES
Adam Engström is set to return to action after being sidelined for nearly a month.
On Tuesday, the Rocket announced that forward Xavier Simoneau’s season is over following shoulder surgery on March 16.
On Monday, the Rocket loaned goaltender Hunter Jones to the Trois-Rivières Lions.
LINEUP FROM LAST GAME (03/14/2026)
Forwards:
- Sean Farrell - Alex Belzile - Joshua Roy
- Jared Davidson - Owen Beck - Filip Mešár
- Samuel Blais - Lucas Condotta - Tyler Thorpe
- Vincent Arseneau - Florian Xhekaj - Luke Tuch
Defensemen:
- Marc Del Gaizo - David Reinbacher
- William Trudeau - Nate Clurman
- Darick Louis-Jean - Josh Jacobs
Goaltenders:
- Kaapo Kähkönen
- Hunter Jones