Quick Hits:
-The Devils start the final week of the regular season with a 43-20-8-2 record, 96 points and a .658 points percentage. They have clinched second place in the North Division, 14 points behind first place Toronto and 12 points ahead of third place Utica.
-We may not know who Albany’s first round opponent will be until Sunday evening at the latest. Currently Bridgeport sits in the first round opponent seat, having crossed over as the fifth place Atlantic team due to having a higher points percentage than North fourth place Syracuse, who as of Saturday is out of the running. Bridgeport also has a higher percentage (as of today .582) over North third place Utica (.575). Also in consideration: Hartford is barely hanging on at .555, a late run by the Wolfpack could also put them in the A5 spot. Portland, who clinched a spot Sunday afternoon, sits at .596, and a last week slide could also send them back to 5th. But no matter the opponent, the Devils will have home ice advantage in the first round.
Wednesday, 4/13 vs. Binghamton
Where: Times Union Center, Albany, NY.
When: 7:00 PM.
Season Series: Albany leads 5-2.
Know Your Opponent:
Record: 29-37-6-1, 65 points, .445 pct, 7th place in North Division
Leading Scorers/Goaltending: Phil Varone, 51 points (18 G, 33 A); Jason Akeson, 50 points (13 G, 37 A); Casey Bailey, 34 points (10 G, 24 A); Chris Driedger, 17-14-4, 2.87 GAA; Matt O’Connor, 9-20-3, 3.35 GAA
Notes: The Senators finish the season with two weekend matchups, at home against Hershey on Friday and in Utica on Sunday afternoon; they start the week on a modest two game winning streak after defeating Rochester and the Devils last weekend.
Listen: AHL Live, US 96.9 FM
Tweet: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @BSens_Hockey
Friday, 4/15 at Rochester
Where: Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, NY.
When: 7:00 PM.
Season Series: Albany leads 4-1.
Know Your Opponent:
Record: 34-35-3-1, 72 points, .493 pct, 5th place in North Division
Leading Scorers/Goaltending: Cole Schneider, 55 points (20 G, 35 A); Eric O’Dell, 48 points (25 G, 23 A); Justin Bailey, 44 points (20 G, 24 A); Nathan Lieuwen, 14-10-2, 2.90 GAA; Linus Ullmark, 10-14-0, 3.37 GAA; Andrey Makarov, 9-9-2, 2.82 GAA
Notes: Friday marks the Amerks final home game of 2015-16; they travel to Toronto Saturday and Sunday for a weekend series against the Marlies to finish off the schedule; they are coming off a 1-1-1 weekend, losing in regulation to Binghamton at home on Friday and dropping an overtime decision to Lake Erie on Saturday, then shut out the Monsters in Cleveland on Sunday.
Listen: AHL Live, Fox Sports 1280
Tweet: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @AmerksHockey, @LetsGoAmerks
Saturday, 4/16 vs. Bridgeport
Where: Times Union Center, Albany, NY.
When: 5:00 PM.
Season Series: Albany leads 4-3.
Know Your Opponent:
Record: 39-27-4-3, 85 points, .582 pct, 5th place in Atlantic Division
Leading Scorers/Goaltending: Bracken Kearns, 52 points (22 G, 30 A); Alan Quine, 48 points (19 G, 29 A); 2 tied with 40 points; Christopher Gibson, 19-11-6, 2.70 GAA; Stephon Williams, 14-12-1, 2.79 GAA
Notes: Bridgeport’s magic number to clinch a Calder Cup playoff spot is at 2, needing a regulation loss by Hartford on Wednesday to seal it; they finish the season with a 3 in 3 weekend, traveling to Portland on Friday before arriving in the Capital Region on Saturday, then finishing at home Sunday against the Bruins.
Listen: AHL Live
Tweet: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @TheSoundTigers
Thoughts Inside The Box 