Sabres’ prospects will take part in the Calder Cup playoffs as the Rochester Americans have now made the Calder Cup playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. With making the playoffs the last four seasons, the Americans have received a first-round bye in the three of the last four, including the one received for this season.
It’s an ideal spot to be in as a Sabres prospect, as qualifying for the playoffs in the AHL gives the prospects more games to play, but at a higher level as they will chase a trophy and can bring that experience to the NHL level.
Rochester Season recap:
In the first season under head coach Micheal Leone, the Americans ended the 24-25 AHL season 2nd in the North Division with a 42-22-5-3 record earning them 92 points this season. Rochester was led by Isak Rosen, who tallied 28 goals for Rochester this season. A strong power play led Rochester this season, ranking third in the North Division in PP% with an 18% success rate.
The power play for Rochester saw its struggles on home ice this season as Rochester sits second to last in North Division in home power play, success only converting on PP 15.5% of the time. Rochester comes into the playoffs a little inconsistent, winning only four of their last ten games. Having home ice benefits the Americans, as they had the second-best home record in the North this season.
Two players to watch: Devon Levi
All eyes will be on Devon Levi in his second full season with the Rochester Americans. Levi has started 42 of the 72 games this season for Rochester, after only starting 26 last season. In his 42 starts, Levi allowed only 92 goals, earning him the sixth-best GAA in the league.
The 23-year-old goalie has been winning in his short time in the AHL. He has won 41 of 68 games in a Rochester uniform and sits with a current career GAA of 2.28. Devon Levi is a puck eating goalie. Even with his small size, he stands tall in the net. His .919 SV% this season is 6th best in the AHL.
This will be Levi’s second time competing in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs earning him significant time to develop his game and see more competitive action while developing his game. While Levi has been a consistent puck stopper in the regular season, his flaws as a goalie show in the playoffs, as the Syracuse Crunch got the best of him last season.
The hope is with Levi getting solid reps in the minors the last two seasons he will be ready to take the next step in becoming the long-term solution for Buffalo’s goaltender problems.
Two players to watch: Isak Rosen
Rosen, finishing his third full season with the Americans, led the team in goals this season with 27, his second straight 20-goal season in the AHL. Rosen was the league’s tenth-best scorer this season. Rosen joined the Sabres for his NHL debut, earning his first NHL point with an assist before returning to Rochester. Rosen also lead the Americans in points this season tallying 55.
The Swedish forward also helped the third best power play in the North Division as he slammed in six power play goals for the Amerks. The Stockholm native also has a clutch touch as he also led the way with six game winning goals. During his three seasons with Rochester, Isak Rosen has played in 19 playoff games, scoring six goals and ten points.
Rosen in his time in the minors has been a goal scoring machine lighting the lamp in every moment of the game. His high hockey IQ has been a reason for his success in the AHL. When the time is right next season, Rosen will be a major part of the Sabres top-6, and special teams units.
First Round Information:
The Rochester Americans will host the Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning) for game one of a best of five at Blue Cross Arena on Friday April 25th with puck drop shortly after 7. Rochester and Syracuse faced off in the second-round last season with the Crunch winning in five games.