Grand Rapids Griffins start next round of playoffs: What to know

After nearly a week off, the Grand Rapids Griffins resume the 2026 AHL playoffs, continuing the chance for multiple Detroit Red Wings prospects to gain valuable experience.

The No. 1 seeed Griffins host the second-seeded Chicago Wolves in Game 1 of the Central Division Finals on Thursday, May 14, at Van Andel Arena in a best-of-five series. Game 2 is Saturday, and then the series switches to Chicago, with Game 3 on May 19. If necessary, Game 4 is May 21, also in Chicago, and Game 5 back in Grand Rapids on May 23.

The Griffins are 3-1 in the Calder Cup playoffs, having earned a bye into the division semifinals, which they took in three straight after dropping the first game against the Manitoba Moose. That series ended on May 7. Now it’s time for the next round.

Grand Rapids Griffins celebrate during a game against the Manitoba Moose on May 8, 2026 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich.

BIG STAGE: 7 Detroit Red Wings make rosters for World Championship

Here’s what to know:

The matchup

Griffins (3-1) vs. Wolves (3-2)

2025-26 Regular-Season Series: 6-3-0-1

All-Time Playoff Series: 14-15 overall, 7-7 home

Notable skaters

Carter Mazur, a third-round pick from 2021 who appeared in eight games (no points, minus-3) for the Wings this season, leads the Griffins with four goals and five points. He’s coming off back-to-back two-goal performances.

Veteran Erik Gustafsson wasn’t able to strengthen the Wings defense corps as expected when he was signed two years ago, but he’s been a really nice influence for the Griffins, as he has four points in four playoff games this spring.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, the Wings’ first-round pick (No. 15) in 2024, has two goals and an assist. Axel Sandin-Pellikka (No. 17, 2023) has one goal.

The Wolves are led by Ryan Suzuki (brother of Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki), who has four goals and six points in five games. Bradly Nadeau, a first-round pick of the Hurricanes (No. 30, 2023) has a team-high four assists among five points.

Who’s minding the nets

Michal Postava, a free agent signee out of Czechia, is 3-1 with a 1.25 goals-against average that ranks second in the AHL playoffs, and a .945 save percentage. He’s stopped 86 of 91 shots. The 24-year-old got the nod to start in the playoffs after Sebastian Cossa, the Wings’ first-round pick from 2021, struggled down the stretch, and he has given the Griffins no reason to reconsider.

The Wolves’ netminder is Cayden Primeau, son of former Wings forward Keith Primeau and a former draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens (No. 199, 2017). He’s 3-2 with a 2.17 GAA and .918 save percentage.

Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Grand Rapids Griffins start next round of playoffs: What to know

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