The Laval Rocket were on a recent run of good form, having won their last three games to end the calendar year. A pair of wins over the Rochester Americans and one more over the Belleville Senators saw the Rocket climb back into the hunt for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
At the opposite side of things, the rival Marlies had lost five of their last seven games, and lost their control of the top of the North Division.
Returning to the Laval lineup would be Brett Lernout and Zachary Fucale after stints in the NHL and ECHL, respectively.