After a stretch on the road, Laval returned home with a mission-and they delivered. Three divisional games before the All-Star break, three wins, and now a six-point cushion atop the standings. That’s how you make a statement heading into the midseason pause.
The Week That Was
Feb. 4: Laval 6, Utica 2
This one was over early. Laval came out flying, burying four goals in the opening period and adding another just 35 seconds into the second.
That flurry chased Utica’s starter, Jakub Malek, and set the tone for a dominant night. Laurent Dauphin led the charge with a three-point performance, while Marc Del Gaizo and Josh Jacobs each chipped in two assists.
The Rocket took care of business against a shorthanded Comets squad, doing exactly what a contending team should in that situation.
Feb. 6: Laval 5, Cleveland 4 (OT)
This one had a little bit of everything-lead changes, momentum swings, and a dramatic finish. Laval found themselves down by two early in the second but clawed their way back.
After Cleveland briefly reclaimed the lead in the third on a long-range shot from Caleb MacDonald, Owen Beck ended an 18-game scoring drought with a clutch power play goal to tie it. In overtime, a beautiful three-on-one sequence ended with Marc Del Gaizo tipping home the winner.
It wasn’t pretty at times, but it was a gutsy win.
Feb. 7: Laval 4, Cleveland 1
The rematch? Much smoother.
Laval struck early again, with a goal in the sixth minute of the first and then two more-just 21 seconds apart-from Alex Belzile and Xavier Simoneau in the second. Belzile added a power play tally later in the frame, and from there, Laval locked it down.
A textbook bounce-back performance that showed maturity and control.
StatPack Highlights
Let’s talk about the guys driving this recent surge:
- Marc Del Gaizo was everywhere this week-one goal, four assists, and a +6 rating. He’s not just producing; he’s tilting the ice in Laval’s favor every time he’s out there.
- Joshua Roy continues to show why he’s such an intriguing prospect.
Three goals and an assist over three games, including some high-danger looks that speak to his offensive instincts.
- Laurent Dauphin is doing it all. A goal and three assists this week pushed his season totals to 53 points and a +23 rating.
He leads the team in goals, assists, points, and shots. That’s not just consistency-that’s leadership.
- Adam Engstrom quietly put up four assists in three games and continues to log big minutes in all situations. More on him in a moment.
- Goalie Jacob Fowler went 3-0-0 on the week with a 2.33 GAA and .908 save percentage. He’s been steady, and that’s exactly what Laval needs as they push toward the playoffs.
News and Notes
- Samuel Blais is back in Laval after clearing waivers. With Montreal getting healthier, this stint could last longer than his short December cameo. He adds NHL experience and some grit to the Rocket’s middle six.
- Xavier Simoneau is shooting at a career-best 16% clip, but the production hasn’t followed-just four goals and 12 points through 41 games. He had 21 points last season and was closer to 40 in each of his first two AHL campaigns. The efficiency is up, but the volume needs to follow.
- Josh Jacobs had a two-assist night against Utica-his first multi-point game since April 2022. A nice reminder of the offensive upside he can bring from the back end when the opportunity is there.
Last Game’s Line Combos
Forwards:
- Farrell - Dauphin - Belzile
- Roy - Beck - Mesar
- Blais - Condotta - Simoneau
- Arseneau - Xhekaj - Thorpe
Defense:
- Engstrom - Didier
- Del Gaizo - Reinbacher
- Trudeau - Clurman
Looking Ahead: The All-Star Break and Beyond
Three Rocket players are headed to the AHL All-Star festivities: Jacob Fowler, Laurent Dauphin, and Adam Engstrom. Fowler will showcase his skills in net, Dauphin’s two-way play will be on display, and Engstrom will get a well-deserved spotlight after a stellar stretch.
The rest of the squad gets a few days off before diving right back into the grind with a back-to-back set.
Friday vs. Hershey
The Bears haven’t been their usual powerhouse selves this season, but they’ve still got firepower. Rookies Ilya Protas and Andrew Cristall are leading the way offensively, and a couple of familiar names-Louie Belpedio and Corey Schueneman-anchor their blue line.
Goalie Clay Stevenson is back from a stint with Washington, adding stability in net.
Saturday vs. Toronto
This one’s circled on the calendar. The Marlies are chasing Laval in the standings, nine points back with two games in hand.
They’re also riding an eight-game point streak. Laval has taken two of the first three meetings this season, with Dauphin and Alex Tuch leading the offensive charge.
Toronto recently got Michael Pezzetta back from injury, but he’s been quiet this year with just eight points in 26 games.
Final Thought: Adam Engstrom Is Forcing the Issue
It’s getting harder and harder to ignore what Adam Engstrom is doing in Laval.
Since returning from Montreal, he’s been a force-14 points in 14 games, game-winning goals, and a consistent presence on both ends of the ice. He’s jumping into the rush with confidence, defending top lines effectively, and logging penalty kill minutes. And he’s doing all of this with a rotating cast of partners, some of whom are on AHL-only deals.
At this point, there’s no real hole in his game. He’s not just holding his own-he’s driving play.
That’s the kind of performance that usually earns a call-up. The only issue?
There’s no room on the Canadiens’ blue line right now. That’s a good problem for Montreal, but a frustrating one for Engstrom.
Still, if he keeps this level up, it’s going to be tough for the Habs to keep him in Laval much longer. Whether it’s a recall when rosters expand or something that forces their hand sooner, Engstrom is making a strong case.
And with the trade deadline looming, don’t be surprised if other teams start asking about him. He’s in his second year, and somehow, he’s still getting better.
Laval heads into the break with momentum, confidence, and a growing list of players stepping up. If this past week is any indication, they’re not just aiming for the playoffs-they’re gearing up to make some noise when they get there.