The North Division playoffs literally move north as the Monsters and Marlies clash at Cocoa Cola Coliseum at 4pm. A Cleveland win advances them to the second round to face the Laval Rocket and former Columbus coach Pascal Vincent.
Survival was the key to game one as youngsters Luca Pinelli and Guillaume Richard got their first taste of professional postseason hockey in victory. More of that will be needed to end the series early. Any loss will require a game three in Toronto.
Projected Lineups
Toronto Marlies
Nick Abruzzese—Logan Shaw—Alex Nylander Sammy Valis—Jacob Quillan—Alex Steeves Nick Mastrosimone—Joe Blandisi—Zach Solow Joe Barbolini—Zach Haymes—Resse Johnson
Nikko Kokkonen—Matt Benning Mitch Rifai—William Villeneuve Cade Weeber—Topi Niemela
Dennis Hildeby Matt Murray
Cleveland Monsters
Mikael Pyyhita—Luca Del Bel Belluz—Trey Fix-Wolansky Rocco Grimaldi—Hunter McKown—Justin Pearson Luca Pinelli—Dylan Gambrell—Roman Achan James Malatesta—Jospeh LaBate Jr.—Gavin Brindley
Denton Mateychuk—Madison Bowey Ole Julian Bjorgvik-Holm—Cole Clayton Guillaume Richard—Stanislav Svozil
Jet Greaves Zach Sawchenko
Players to Watch
Toronto — Alex Nylander — the former Blue Jackets’ winger had the opening goal of round one game one in the north division matchup. Let’s see if he extends the series to the needed game 3.
Cleveland — Rocco Grimaldi — the veteran presence will be key to help the Monsters sweep the Marlies in 2.
Rumor Update
Rumor Mill
Thatcher Demko (VAN) CBJ
Bryan Rust (PIT)
CBJ, DET
F Brock Boeser (VAN)
CBJ, MIN
F Elias Pettersson (VAN)
BUF, CAR, DET, MIN, DAL, OTT, CBJ, BOS
F Rickard Rakkell (PIT)
CBJ, CAR
D Noah Dobson (NYI)
Per Spencer Lazar THN (CBJ)
DET, MTL, VAN, STL
D Jamie Oleskiak (SEA)
Per NHL Trade Talk Trade Board
CBJ, DAL, TOR
F Nick Robertson (TOR)
CBJ, SEA, UTH
Leaving Columbus?
2025 1 st Rd (BOTH)
Only for player with term
G Elvis Merzlikins
G Daniil Tarasov
D Ivan Provorov
Luke Kunin
Sean Kuraly
Christian Fischer
Justin Danforth
James van Riemsdyk
Kevin Labanc
Dante Fabbro
Jack Johnson