Jesse Ylönen goals to assist propel Rocket into the AHL playoffs

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Jesse Ylönen might have been in Elmont, N.Y., on Wednesday, making ready for a recreation in opposition to the New York Islanders whereas enjoying out the string with the Canadiens within the closing week of the common season.

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As an alternative, the 23-year-old ahead was returned this week to Laval — together with winger Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and goaltender Cayden Primeau — enjoying significant video games because the Rocket makes one closing push to safe an AHL playoff berth.

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The strikes hardly got here as a shock. In early March, Canadiens administration accomplished the required paperwork to make the 2 forwards eligible for this stretch run and potential playoff look.

“My thoughts was ready for this,” Ylönen mentioned Wednesday morning. “Wherever you play you’re centered on enjoying there. I knew there was a risk and it’s not an issue for me. I get pleasure from enjoying right here in massive, significant video games. Clearly I’m excited to be right here.

“For me, all of the video games are vital.”

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Heading into Wednesday night time’s dwelling recreation in opposition to the Toronto Marlies, the Rocket (31-29-10) holds the fifth and closing playoff spot within the North Division, one level forward of Cleveland, which holds a recreation in hand. The Marlies, having already secured first place within the division, have little to play for.

Laval concludes its season Friday at dwelling in opposition to Syracuse, whereas Cleveland performs three street video games in as many days, starting Friday at Utica adopted by a pair in opposition to Rochester.

Canadiens normal supervisor Kent Hughes, not like his predecessor, Marc Bergevin, appears to put extra emphasis on the group’s AHL affiliate. He seems to be doing the whole lot in his energy to make sure Laval qualifies for the playoffs. In Monday’s 4-0 victory in opposition to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Harvey-Pinard opened the scoring early within the first interval, whereas Ylönen scored an insurance coverage objective within the third, making it 2-0. Primeau stopped 41 pictures for his third shutout this season.

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“It makes us really feel we’re vital,” Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle mentioned. “It’s vital for us to try to make the playoffs, offers these younger gamers some expertise. These video games proper now are significant, whether or not we make the playoffs or not. These final two weeks are intense video games. It’s vital for younger youngsters to play in these kind of video games. It’s superb for his or her growth. We’re happy the Canadiens see it the identical as we do, the significance of that.”

Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply the message from Montreal is it’s playoffs or bust, Houle says.

“Because the starting of the 12 months the message is to make the playoffs,” he mentioned. “Had we had a greater begin to the 12 months, possibly we wouldn’t be on this predicament. Within the AHL quite a lot of issues occur. There’s quite a lot of ups and downs, studying to be made.”

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Whereas there’s little doubt Harvey-Pinard has earned his spot within the NHL, scoring 14 targets and 20 factors in 34 video games, Ylönen’s ascension is much less sure though, as a second-round (thirty fifth general) draft selection in 2018, expectations are excessive for the 6-foot-1, 188-pounder.

After enjoying solely 14 video games with the Canadiens final season, Ylönen acquired a extra intensive look this season. However in 37 video games, he produced a modest six targets and 16 factors. His play at instances was underwhelming, though it improved barely when paired with higher linemates. Nonetheless, he didn’t register a degree in his final 5 video games with Montreal.

“I believe I performed higher this 12 months,” Ylönen mentioned. “I believe my recreation improved a bit bit. You need to construct your recreation every year. Now I’m extra snug and hope, sooner or later, I can play in (the NHL) full-time. They’ve excessive expectations for me. My job’s to concentrate on getting higher.”

Again in Laval for the primary time since Jan. 8, Ylönen returned a extra assured participant, Houle mentioned, as did Harvey-Pinard. In 37 video games with Laval, Ylönen has 10 targets and 30 factors.

“The NHL’s greater stage, so your physique’s geared at a better stage for a short time right here,” Houle mentioned. “They play with confidence, understanding they’ll make performs.”

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