The Laval Rocket begin a new playoff chapter Wednesday night at Place Bell, opening their second-round Calder Cup series against the Toronto Marlies in the first-ever postseason meeting between the two clubs.
The best-of-five series begins in Laval for the first two games before shifting to Toronto for Games 3 and 4. If necessary, Game 5 returns to Place Bell.
Toronto enters the series riding momentum after sweeping the Rochester Americans in three games in the opening round.
The Marlies finished the regular season fourth in the North Division with a 36-26-10 record and 82 points, ranking 14th in goals scored and 18th in goals against.
This marks their fourth consecutive playoff appearance. Toronto remains the only team in the matchup with a Calder Cup championship, having won in 2018.
Laval posted a 3-3-2 record against Toronto during the regular season.
Toronto continues to lean on a mix of NHL-calibre prospects and developing players.
Easton Cowan, the 20-year-old first-round pick in 2023, is in his first professional season after spending most of the year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He recorded 29 points in 66 NHL games, with a brief AHL stint in November.
In net, Artur Akhtyamov has taken a step forward in his second North American season, posting a 21-12-4 record with the Marlies. The 24-year-old Russian goaltender also earned an AHL All-Star selection and appeared in three NHL games.
Experience is a major strength for Toronto heading into the series.
Logan Shaw, Alex Nylander and Vinni Lettieri — who scored a hat trick in Game 1 of the first round — all bring over 100 NHL games of experience and finished among the team’s top scorers in the regular season.
On defence, Matt Benning provides stability, while Michael Pezzetta, formerly of the Canadiens and Rocket, adds another familiar face for Laval fans.
Together, the group has nearly 1,200 NHL games of experience.
The Marlies also feature several Quebec-born players.
Benoît-Olivier Groulx, Toronto’s third-leading scorer, and defenceman William Villeneuve — the team’s top-scoring blueliner — both saw NHL action this season. Forward Cédric Paré also remains a key part of the lineup.
Excitement is building ahead of puck drop at Place Bell, where the Rocket have shared images of red and white playoff towels placed on every seat.
Fans will also have an early start to the action, with a Fan Jam beginning at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday outside Place Bell ahead of Game 1.
Game 1 – Wed., April 29, 2026 – 7:00 p.m. (TOR @ LAV)Game 2 – Fri., May 1, 2026 – 7:00 p.m. (TOR @ LAV)Game 3 – Sun., May 3, 2026 – 4:00 p.m. (LAV @ TOR)Game 4 – Tue., May 5, 2026 – 7:00 p.m. (LAV @ TOR, if necessary)Game 5 – Fri., May 8, 2026 – 7:00 p.m. (TOR @ LAV, if necessary)
The series opens with two evenly matched teams, familiar regular-season opponents, and a playoff atmosphere building in Laval as the Rocket prepare for their biggest test yet.
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