The Rochester Americans evened up the series against the Laval Rocket this past Saturday, and the tide now shifts to Laval as the Americans must win two out of three on the road. The Rocket have been the one team that has consistently given the Amerks a tough time all year.
If the Americans want to see themselves in the Eastern Conference Finals, they will need to have contributions from their better players. These three prospects can do just that, and should be names to watch for the rest of the series.
Isak Rosen
Rosen has been a household name for the Amerks this season, as he registered 55 points on 28 goals and 27 assists. Rosen registered three points in game two and was a key reason the Americans turned the momentum in the series.
Rosen now has five points in the playoffs, with four of them being goals. He is the second leading scorer for the Americans, and I think this will be his last run with Rochester as he will most likely make the main roster next year.
Rosen has been given many chances in this series, and I expect him to score a few more times before the series is done.
Konsta Helenius
Helenius was the Sabres' first-round pick in the 2024 draft and had an impressive rookie season in Rochester. He recorded 35 points in 65 games, with 14 of those being goals.
Helenius is off to a hot start in the playoffs as he has five points in five games. Including a tying goal in the second period of game one. Helenius is just 19 years old and is already taking big strides in his first year of pro hockey.
If Helenius can continue this pace of play, he could be on an NHL roster by the time he is 21, if not sooner. He is showing signs that he can be a true two-way center in this league, and the Sabres should be pleased with the strides he has taken thus far.
Nikita Novikov
Novikov is an underrated prospect for the Sabres. He was a sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft. Novikov spent a few years in the KHL before joining the Americans last season.
Novikov has posted back-to-back 20-point seasons and has an impressive +48 plus-minus in those two seasons. The playoffs have been nothing different for Novikov as he has a +4 plus-minus in five games, and also tallied an assist.
Novikov is a true stay-at-home defenseman who has been impressive in his time with Rochester, and he makes the team better when he’s on the ice. Norikov is still just 21, and he has a lot of hockey ahead of him. At this rate, he could make his NHL debut in due time.