As the Lewiston Maineiacs begin their first-round playoff series on the road against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies tonight, they will do so without three key players.

Vladislav Balaz, Gabriel Balasescu and Bobby Gates all are sidelined with injuries and won’t play against the Huskies, who at times during the regular season were ranked in the CHL Top 10.

“They are a tough team to play, especially in their arena,” Maineiacs coach Mario Durocher said. “But they have a few things that I think we can use for an advantage.”

One of the keys for the Maineiacs, according to their coach, is speed. Even without Balaz and Balasescu, the Maineiacs have ample speed in forwards Alexandre Picard, Mathieu Aubin, Marc-Andre Cliche and Pierre-Luc Faubert, who could cause a lot of problems for the young Rouyn-Noranda defense.

“Pressure will be important on their defense,” Durocher said. “I know I have said that a lot, but with this team, in this smaller arena, it will make a big difference.”

Another factor is whether or not the Maineiacs can manage enough shots to beat Huskies’ goalie Mathieu Poitras.

“We outshot them 40-25 average this season in three games, and we only won one of those games,” Durocher said. “He is a very good goalie, and if you want to win in the playoffs you need good goaltending.”

Lewiston has not named a starting goalie, with Durocher saying simply that he has “confidence in both that they can do their job.”

On the blueline, the Maineiacs will be without Gates, who still cannot shake the symptoms of a concussion suffered nearly two weeks ago.

“He still gets a headache after he rides a bike,” Durocher said. “We will know more after the weekend when we get back.”

Still, the defense will be strengthened by the return of Richard Stehlik, fresh off a four-game suspension, and Jonathan Paiement will have more mobility in his arm after resting it for four days.

“The key to winning in the playoffs is defense,” Durocher said. “We have played well on defense all year, and that has been the key, so we need to continue that this weekend.”

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will be played on Saturday. The two teams will return to the Colisee on Tuesday and Wednesday for Games 3 and 4.

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