Just five days after they began, the Utica Comets are already facing elimination in the AHL playoffs as they prepare for their first home game against the Albany Devils.

The Aud in Utica is sold out for the 54th straight time and fans are being encouraged to create the whiteout atmosphere that was so intimidating to their opponents during last year's long run to the Calder Cup Final. They made a strong impression on tough guy Paul Bissonnette, then with the Manchester Monarchs:

.@BizNasty2point0: Probably the loudest,craziest fans I've seen.I don't think I've been more intimidated in an atmosphere than @UticaComets

— TSN Radio Vancouver (@TSN1040) April 15, 2016

After a decent performance in Game 1, which Utica lost 3-2, Richard Bachman was lifted in favour of Joe Cannata after giving up four goals in Saturday's 5-1 loss. According to the Comets' website, the turning point in Saturday's loss was a shorthanded goal by the Devils that could have been called back due to goaltender interference. That may have rattled Bachman.

At this point, it's unclear whether Travis Green will go back with Bachman or if he'll start Joe Cannata on Tuesday.

Injury issues for the Comets include Darren Archibald, who scored a goal in Game 1 but was scratched in Game 2 after taking warmups. He continues to be day to day. Taylor Fedun and Wacey Hamilton are also question marks for Game 3.

No NHL playoffs tonight, so follow along!

Game time is 4 p.m. PT as the Comets try to extend their season and force Game 4 on Thursday.

Draft Lottery Countdown

We're down to just four more sleeps before the big day—the draft lottery that will determine the order of selection for this year's first round.

The lottery will be broadcast at 4 p.m. PT on Saturday, the broadcast highlight of the night which will be followed by Game 2 of Pittsburgh-Washington.

And the most watched night of hockey this spring in Canada will be the draft lottery. Hockey is upside down. https://t.co/Z0meJ0BnDT

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) April 26, 2016

Pretty shocking to realize that after the Chicago Blackhawks' elimination last night, there are now no Original Six teams left in the playoffs, as well as no Canadian teams.

Right till the end, I thought the Hawks would pull a rabbit out of their hats last night to tie the game and force overtime. The closest they got was a double post in the dying minutes...

The dreaded double post. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/nF3LCgZ45H

— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 26, 2016

Unbelievable game, though! Full credit to both teams for giving it everything they had—and it was bound to happen eventually that the Hawks would get bounced by a player they'd previously traded for salary-cap reasons. In this case, Vancouver's own Troy Brouwer, who won a Cup with Chicago in 2010, slayed the dragon.

#GottaSeeIt - Troy Brouwer JUST manages to push across a go-ahead goal. #StanleyCup Playoffs. #CHIvsSTL pic.twitter.com/hMySUbFA3t

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 26, 2016

Brouwer says it was the ugliest goal of his career, adding if he didn't put it in, he would have quit hockey.

— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 26, 2016

I was skeptical of that Brouwer-for-Oshie trade with Washington when it went down last summer but I guess we can now say that it has worked out well for both sides.

Once we finally know where the Canucks are picking, the debate can really begin in earnest about what to do in the first round. We'll still have nearly two months to go until draft day!

Top prospect Jesse Puljujarvi added another big game to his resume on Sunday, notching a hat trick in Finland's 6-1 win over Sweden for the gold medal on Sunday.

Jesse Puljujarvi's hat-trick goal from yesterday - which is probably the best one. pic.twitter.com/deFW8kLhc3

— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) April 25, 2016

Those three goals came after he took a nasty slash to his hand in the dying seconds of Finland's semifinal win over Team USA. AND he was ill.

According to mtv.fi, Puljujarvi played with a frozen hand and “vomiting disease” where “food did not want to stay inside” (translated).

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) April 26, 2016

Imagine what this kid could do on a good day!

Sadly, word is that Puljujarvi will not be joining the senior men's team at next month's World Championships in Russia.

I'm still holding out hope that I'll get to see Patrik Laine, who has done serious damage throughout the Finnish League playoffs.

Patrik Laine scores his 10th playoff goal in Game 6 of the Liiga Final... pic.twitter.com/He5H1leYzB

— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) April 26, 2016

Laine's team, Tappara, has now defeated Helsinki 2-1 to win the Finnish League championship.

NHL Draft: Patrik Laine has scored in the 1st period vs HIFK in Liiga final today, & Tappara leads 2-1. Laine 10-5-15 in 18 gms in playoffs.

— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) April 26, 2016

Laine's playing in a men's league—and turned 18 last Tuesday. He was just named playoff MVP. Wow!

Patrik Laine. Winner of Jari Kurri Trophy, Finnish league playoff MVP.

— Juha Hiitelä (@jhiitela) April 26, 2016

Of course, the draft goes much deepeer than just one round. Ryan Biech does a nice job of featuring some lower-ranked prospects who impressed at the U18s in this Canucks Army piece.

This morning, @ryanbiech showcases some of the lower ranked players from the U18 tournament: https://t.co/Cv35WwtmJZ pic.twitter.com/GTVVemdW6I

— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) April 26, 2016

Join the Discussion: » 328 Comments » Post New Comment

» Winning Canucks send down Podkolzin, Rathbone as homestand begins

» Power-play fuels big win in Vegas as Canucks look to sweep 3-game road trip

» The Canucks' position at U.S. Thanksgiving, following a big win in Denver

» Trade winds blow as the Canucks kick off road trip against the Avalanche

» Podkolzin returns as Canucks host Vegas amidst Horvat, Myers trade rumours