The Marlies dropped game two of their best of three playoff round so deep it's under the sea. They almost lost as badly as they won game one, giving up four goals and a shutout to the Amerks. They managed to outshoot Rochester 29 to 24, but if you don't score, you don't win.

Interestingly, the Marlies played Artur Akhtyamov again, leaving Dennis Hildeby as the backup. Easton Cowan led the team with five SOG.

Did you know the AHL gives you shotplots? They do. And the Marlies were doing quite a bit of shooting from the weeds by the look of that chart (score effects again), but they also got right in Devon Levi's crease a little. They can do better.

Next game is winner take all and it is on Sunday afternoon at 4 pm.

Speaking of winner take all, today is the day for the Scepters.

Gametime is 2 pm, and the action is in Ottawa. If the Sceptres win in regulation, they are in the playoffs. If they go to OT or lose, they are out.

The other PWHL key games are Boston vs New York at noon and Montréal vs Seattle at 10 pm. Boston and Montréal are one point apart for first place, and whoever finishes first gets to pick their first-round playoff opponent.

Playoffs start April 30 in Boston and May 2 in Montréal, regardless of the outcomes of Saturday's games. The eliminated teams are all trying to win to secure Gold draft points to claim the first overall draft position, which really matters this year.

The best prospect in PWHL history, Caroline Harvey is ready for her next chapter
Coming off a three-month stretch that saw her win more hardware the most hockey players can dream of earning in a lifetime, Caroline Harvey is just as excited for what comes next: the PWHL draft and the start of her pro career.
Sportsnet.caEmily Sadler

Last night was the first ever playoff hockey game in Utah:

Mammoth, Avalanche set for 2027 Winter Classic on New Year’s Eve | NHL.com
Utah to play its 1st outdoor game, will host event at Rice-Eccles Stadium
NHL logoNicholas J. Cotsonika

And the Canadiens took an overtime victory from the Lightning with a goal by Lane Hutson. Two other games happened at times suited to those in the west.

Yesterday's 32 Thoughts covered the Leafs hiring search.

NHL Rumour Roundup: Who is still in the running to be Maple Leafs GM?
As we approach the one-month mark since the Toronto Maple Leafs fired general manager Brad Treliving, anticipation around who they will hire next has only grown.
Sportsnet.caSportsnet Staff

I won't use the word GM because the Leafs aren't.

Senators’ Jake Sanderson out with a concussion for Game 4
Sportsnet.caSportsnet Staff

Head hits are cool in the playoffs, it seems.

News will come in its own time, but until then, there's a big analytics article today from a long, but very rewarding HALO panel.

That's it for now.

From The Branches