AHL Preview: Toronto Marlies at Grand Rapids Griffins

The Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings) will host the Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs) on back-to-back nights this weekend as they try to add to a three-game winning streak while facing one of the AHL’s hottest teams. The Marlies have won five of their last six games and eight of their last ten, behind the strong play of goaltenders Ben Scrivens (12-7) and Jussi Rynnas (4-1-1) and steady scoring from AHL veteran center Keith Aucoin (who recently moved into the top ten in AHL scoring).

The Griffins remain in first place in the tightly contested Midwest Division, where only five points separate all five teams. The Marlies face a tight race in the North Division, with the Abbotsford Heat (Calgary Flames) and Lake Erie Monsters (Colorado Avalanche) nipping at their heels.

In addition to Aucoin, the Marlies get scoring from defenseman Mike Kostka (28 points), winger Ryan Hamilton (18 points) and oft-criticized prospect Nazem Kadri (seven goals, 25 points). The Griffins will counter with a top line that features three high-scoring European prospects: Gustav Nyquist (nine goals, 25 points), Tomas Tatar (11 goals, 23 points) and Joakim Andersson (eight goals, 16 points). Rookie goaltender Petr Mrazek continues to shine between the pipes, and recently cracked the league’s top ten with his 9-3 record and 2.24 GAA.

The Red Wings sent forwards Brent Raedeke and Andrej Nestrasil and defenseman Max Nicastro to the ECHL Toledo Walleye following the holiday, which means for the time being that Grand Rapids native Luke Glendening will remain in the AHL. Raedeke and Nicastro have been healthy scratches for many of the Griffins games and will be better off at least getting ice time in Toledo.

Saturday’s contest is a make-up game for the cancelled outdoor game that was to coincide with the 2013 Winter Classic festivities. It will be nice for fans to have two home games on a weekend between holidays, but will be a sad reminder of the cost of the lockout so far at the same time. Red Wings legends Kris Draper and Joey Kocur will be on hand before the game to meet fans and sign autographs.