The AHL's Western Conference Finals gets underway tonight with the Abbotsford Canucks taking on the Texas Stars at the Abbotsford Centre.
After finishing second in the AHL's Pacific Division this season the Canucks defeated the Tucson Roadrunners in three games in the best-of-three Pacific Division First Round, the defending Western Conference champion Coachella Valley Firebirds in four game sin the Pacific Division Semifinals, and the Colorado Eagles in five games in the Pacific Division Finals.
After continuing his strong play and backstopping the Canucks to a game five win over the Eagles goaltender Arturs Silovs has an 8-3 record, .936 SP, 1.73 GAA and four shutouts this postseason.
The Canucks lead all remaining playoff teams with a 97% penalty kill success rate, allowing just one goal in 35 times shorthanded, the powerplay has also been solid at 21%.
Sammy Blais leads the Canucks with 11 points in 12 games while Linus Karlsson tops the team with seven goals.
Arshdeep Bains has no goals and seven points in the playoffs after a productive regular season. Phil Di Giuseppe scored two goals in the series clinching game against Colorado and is second on the team with five goals in 12 games.
After missing three games to begin the playoffs Jonathan Lekkerimaki has recorded one goal and five points in nine games, Abbotsford will need him to produce this series.
The Canucks defense core has been a strength throughout the playoffs, the return of veteran Christian Wolanin from injury has been important, forming a stable pairing with Jett Woo. Guilluame Brisebois and Cole McWard have played well on the top pair.
AHL Rookie of the Year Justin Hryckowian had nine points in five games in Texas' series against the Milwaukee Admirals and is tied for the AHL playoff lead in goals (seven) and leads with 15 points. His line mates have rotated between Kole Lind, Curtis McKenzie, and Cameron Hughes, with the four forwards combining for 20 goals and 48 points in the playoffs.
AHL regular season goal leader Matej Blumel has three goals and 10 points in eight games, rounding out a dynamic top six for the Stars.
2024 AHL Defenseman of the Year Kyle Capobianco and partner Luke Krys have played big minutes for Texas, Capobianco is second among all defensemen with nine points in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
After Magnus Hellberg started games one and two for Texas against the Admirals Remi Poirier returned from an injury to close out the series for games three to five.
Poirier has a 4-1 record with a 1.87 GAA and .926 SP in six playoff appearances, March's AHL Goalie of the Month has had a tremendous season and looks to shut down an Abbotsford offense that scored the fifth-most goals in the AHL during the regular season.
Texas narrowly leads Abbotsford in powerplay success rate with six goals in 26 opportunities.
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