The Hartford Wolf Pack's season high three game winning streak ended this past weekend, when they split a pair of games. The New York Rangers AHL affiliate enters this week, winners in five of their past eight games.
Last weekend featured a 5-2 win against Springfield on Friday. The Wolf Pack's first line led the charge with three point performances from Gabe Perreault (two goals, one assist) and Justin Dowling (three assists). Jaroslav Chmelař recorded two assists.
The Wolf Pack followed up with a 6-2 loss to Bridgeport on Saturday. Brennan Othmann scored his second goal in four games, and Dowling also scored to extend his point-streak to three games (one goal, five assists).
The sixth-place Wolf Pack (8-10-4-0, 20 points) look to build on their recent strong play with three games this week.
The Hartford defense corps is about to get a boost with the return of two injured veterans. Brandon Scanlin , who sustained an injury during training camp and hasn't played yet this season, cleared waivers on Sunday and returned to practice with the Wolf Pack. Scanlin played 206 games with the Wolf Pack, recording 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists), the previous four seasons.
Blake Hillman , who sustained an upper-body injury Nov. 15, is now officially day to day and close to a lineup return. He was initially week to week. Hillman was playing his best hockey before the injury, and had five points (two goals, three assists) in 12 games.
Though the Rangers are happy to let Perreault marinade in the minors as he matures physically and as a player, the 20-year-old forward may not be long for Hartford. Perreault has 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in 17 games, and recently recorded six points (four goals, two assists) in a three-game point streak that included consecutive multi-goal outings.
New York's first-round pick (No. 23 overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft leads the Wolf Pack in goals, points, point-per-game (1.00), and plus-minus (+10). Perreault is tied for fourth among AHL rookies in goals, and tied for eighth in points.
Though he only has one assist in three games with the Rangers this season, Perreault continues to knock on their door, showing he's ready for another crack at it in the NHL
Dylan Garand returned to Hartford after serving as Igor Shesterkin's backup for three games in New York. The 23-year-old goalie still hasn't made his NHL debut, and didn't play at all over a 12-day span until his start Friday back in the AHL.
Garand looked sharp, though, stopping 34 of 36 shots in the win against Springfield. He was instrumental in a game where the Thunderbirds pushed hard for a comeback, and made a string of impressive saves.
Initially given the night off on Saturday against Bridgeport, Garand replaced Callum Tung for the second and third periods. Tung, who faced 12 shots, conceded three goals in the first period before he was pulled. Coach Grant Potulny attempted to spark Hartford with the switch, and Garand finished with 21 saves on 23 shots in relief.
Garand is 4-6-2 with a 2.88 goals-against average and .903 save percentage for Hartford this season after his strong play last weekend.
Justin Dowling — Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Signed by the Rangers to a two-year contract on July 7, Dowling has 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 21 games with Hartford, and been a mentor for Perreault, his young linemate. The 35-year-old forward leads the Wolf Pack in assists, is second in points, and tied for fourth in goals.
Potulny leans on the veteran, who played last season with the New Jersey Devils , deploying him as the Wolf Pack's No. 1 center. As a result, Dowling created strong chemistry with Perreault, and other young forwards given opportunities on the line, like Othmann and Chmelař. Dowling's experience (152 NHL, 594 AHL, and 60 ECHL games) is a major asset for the Wolf Pack.
Dowling's last full season in the AHL was 2023-24. He is on pace to exceed his totals from that season (40 points).
All games can be viewed on AHLTV and heard on Mixlr .
This is the fourth of six meetings in the season series. Hartford is 1-2-0-0 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The Penguins are 17-5-1-0 (35 points), first in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. They are third overall in the AHL.
Sam Poulin leads the Penguins with 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists). Next is Danton Heinen with 18 points (six goals, 12 assists).
This is the first of two meetings in the season series. Hartford lost the series in 2024-25 (0-1-0-1).
Utica is 4-12-3-1 (12 points), seventh (last) in the North Division and 15th (last) in the Eastern Conference.
Xavier Parent leads the Comets with 12 points (six goals, six assists). Mike Hardman has 10 points (five goals, five assists).
This is the first of two meetings in the season series. Hartford split the series in 2024-25 (1-0-1-0). The second meeting is Dec. 19.
Syracuse is 13-8-1-0 (27 points), third in the North Division and tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference.
Jakob Pelletier leads the Crunch with 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) and is tied for second in the League. Next is Nick Abruzzese with 20 points (five goals, 15 assists).
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