The Marlies look to avoid a 2-0 hole before returning to Toronto for Games 3, 4, and 5 of the Calder Cup Finals tonight. Their struggling PP cost them a chance to steal Game 1 despite being outplayed and missing a number of key offensive contributors. The positive is that Ben Scrivens continued to give them that chance, allowing two goals on 41 shots against. The Marlies will have to try to eke out a win with hard-fought, physical, defensive hockey and find ways to pick up some garbage goals with a lot of skill missing from the lineup.
This game is pivotal if the Marlies hope to raise the Calder Cup at series’ end. Go back to Toronto for the next three games tied at 1s and they’re in good shape, with hopefully some bodies returning to the lineup. Lose tonight and it’s a 2-0 hole to a very good Admirals team, something the Marlies have not experienced at any point in the playoffs.
Of course, there’s another big game going on tonight, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Kings and Devils in New Jersey. A good night of hockey lies ahead.
