B-Sens look to lock up Calder Cup Playoff berth on home ice against Rocket – Belleville Sens

Belleville Sens Game Day Build-Up
Apr.19/24 @ Laval Rocket (NHL Affiliate: Montreal Canadiens)                  

The Set-Up/Playoff Picture:

The formula for the Belleville Senators to clinch a berth in the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs is now as simple as it gets – win and you’re in. While that’s not the only way the B-Sens can punch their postseason ticket against the Laval Rocket tonight, it’s the most straightforward and would avoid a do-or-die game on the road in Laval tomorrow. Belleville can also qualify with a single point tonight and a Utica loss at home to Syracuse, with the Comets having an extra game left to play later this weekend. And while Belleville has been excellent against the North Division this season, Laval is one of the opponents that’s been the toughest to play against so the B-Sens, who have won six of their last seven games, will have to continue to play at their peak to defend home ice and nail down that fifth and final playoff spot tonight. The full playoff picture can be found via the American Hockey League’s Playoff Primer.

Previous History:

Tonight’s game is the 11^th of 12 meetings between Belleville and Laval this season, with the Senators holding a 4-5-1-0 record and a 2-2-1-0 mark at home. In their last meetings at the end of March, the teams split a pair of games at Place Bell, with the Senators falling 2-1 before bouncing back to win 5-2 the following day. Over 79 Lifetime meetings against the Rocket the Sens 42-32-2-3, and 23-13-1-3 at CAA Arena.

Roster Notes:

The Senators have only had one roster move since Wednesday’s win against Syracuse. Forward Boko Imama was returned from the NHL club, after his late-season recall, but there’s no word if he’ll dress for Belleville tonight. A complete list of recent transactions can be found here. There are no changes on Belleville’s injured list either, with captain Dillon Heatherington, fellow defender Max Guenette, and forwards Tyler Boucher, Phil Daoust, and Roby Jarventie all still unavailable. Full lineup details, including tonight’s alignment, will be available prior to puck drop via the B-Sens social media channels (@BellevilleSens).

Who to Watch:

Two Belleville Sens players bring four-game point streaks into tonight’s critical 71^st game of the season. Defender Jacob Larsson has four assists over that span, while Wyatt Bongiovanni has four goals and a helper over his last four games. Larsson also had a four-point night the…