After their longest homestand of the season, it’s time to pack the bags and ride the bus as the Toronto Marlies head on the road for five of their next six games.

It’s back to the three-in-three format this weekend with visits to Utica and Rochester before returning home to face the Comets again at Ricoh Coliseum.

It’s possible that the Marlies could officially clinch a playoff berth this weekend with a specific set of results going their way while taking care of their own business at hand. With the magic number down to eight, it’s only a matter of time before that formality is realized.

The Marlies will be without all of William Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen, Nikita Soshnikov, Zach Hyman and recent emergency recall Brendan Leipsic.

Eric Faille (two points in four games for Marlies) has received the call from Orlando to cover in Leipsic’s absence; his one goal was against Utica earlier this season.

Winger John Kurtz will be facing his former team on Friday evening while Saturday should see goaltender Alex Stalock make his Marlies debut after arriving in the James Reimer trade and subsequently being reassigned to the AHL.

Toronto vs. Utica: Friday March 4, 7:00 pm EST (Utica) & Sunday, March 6, 3:00 pm EST (Ricoh)

The pair of games against Utica will wrap up the series between these North Division rivals, which Toronto has dominated with a 5-0-1-0 record this season.

The Marlies should be under no illusions about the task at hand, with most of the encounters tight affairs and their two victories attained by way of the shootout. Since blowing out the Comets in the last game 7-1, Utica have been in good form, bouncing back well from that heavy reverse by winning nine of their last 13 games. Utica are particularly strong on home ice — currently unbeaten in regulation over their eight at the Memorial Auditorium (5-0-2-1).

Remarkably, the Vancouver organization decided to trade away exciting prospect Hunter Shinkaruk and in doing so removed Utica’s leading scorer from their ranks. Also absent is Brendan Gaunce, who was recently recalled to the NHL.

Alexandre Grenier has taken up some of the slack by producing in eight of his last ten games, taking over the scoring lead on the Comets.

Currently one point shy of 30 on the season, Jordan Subban continues to lead the way from the blue line. Subban has scored three times against Toronto this season, and he’s been receiving assistance lately from defensemen Jon Landy and David Shields, both registering a point per game pace through the last four outings. Shields is on loan from Adirondack Thunder and has made a real impression offensively.

Alex Friesen has somewhat surprisingly failed to put up a point in his last nine outings, but he’s enjoyed playing against the Marlies with five points in six games.

Utica have two other players that Toronto should be wary of, as both have something to prove. Brandon Prust was re-assigned by Vancouver and has put up a goal and four assists in six AHL games.

The other is Ronalds Kenins, who appears to be somewhat of an enigma. A poor training camp with Vancouver led to a demotion before he sustained an injury. Upon his return to fitness, Vancouver instantly recalled him from Utica before have reassigning him for a second time. Another injury curtailed his starts; seemingly now healthy, the Latvian forward has been on a hot streak with eleven points in his last eight games.

Richard Bachman and Joe Cannata have essentially split the starts in net for Utica, with the latter the only one of the pair to have tasted success against Toronto this year. It’s entirely possible that the Marlies will face the same goaltender twice given the Comets are also facing a three-game weekend.

Saturday, March 5 — Toronto at Rochester, 7:35 pm EST

Rochester still hold faint aspirations of making the post-season but will need to go on a good run in their last 21 games.

Since Toronto last faced Rochester, Buffalo made a multiplayer trade resulting in a big impact on the Amerks roster. Those departed are Jason Akeson and Phil Varone and defenseman Jerome Leduc, and those arriving are forwards Cole Schneider, Eric O’Dell and Alex Guptill, as well as defenseman Michael Sdao.

Despite losing someone as prolific as Varone at this level, Rochester should benefit from the additions, especially offensively. Schneider led Binghamton in scoring this season with 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points in 54 games. O’Dell was Binghamton’s leading goal scorer with 18, and is a proven player who can fill the shoes of Varone. Both players have enjoyed individual success against Toronto this season.

The Amerks will hope the changes spark the team into action as they look to bounce back from the 10-5 drubbing at the hands of the Marlies during the week. Rochester were able to take their chances in a wide open game, but once Toronto finally played some structured hockey in the third period they were far too good for their neighbours across the border.

While the Amerks are 14-9-1-1 at home, the Blue Cross Arena has proved to be a profitable venue for the Marlies, who have issued an 8-2 walloping as well as a pair of shutout victories. Those results sum up the dominance of Toronto during this series as they outmatch their upcoming hosts in every aspect at this current time, but the challenge is obvious as they deal with absences galore among their key members.