TWO MINUTES FOR THOUGHTS: MARCH 9TH, 2023
Mar 9, 2023The stretch drive is here, and boy is it busy. Since we last spoke in this space, the Wolf Pack have played four games and have been part of three trades. 16 games remain in the 2022-23 AHL regular season, and the Wolf Pack still firmly control their own destiny despite dropping three of their last four and sitting two points out of a playoff spot. That’s the beauty of a division-heavy schedule for the next five weeks.
It’s been a hectic seven days, so let’s skip the pleasantries, shall we?
Onto the blog!
1.) We’ll start with last week’s NHL trade deadline. Things appeared to be quiet until shortly after 3:00 p.m., when news trickled in of three deals involving the Wolf Pack. First, the parent New York Rangers traded Gustav Rydahl to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Anton Blidh. Then, the Rangers acquired defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk from the Vancouver Canucks for future considerations. At the AHL level, Zach Giuttari was sent to the Abbotsford Canucks for future considerations. You can consider that an extension of the New York/Vancouver deal.
It's always tough seeing people leave, and that was certainly the case with Gustav and Zach. Such is the business, however. In Blidh and Kalynuk, the Wolf Pack believe they have upgraded their roster and added some different elements to the mix.
Wolf Pack fans need no introduction to Blidh, who spent his entire career in the Bruins organization prior to inking a contract with the Avalanche in the summer. He’s a tough, gritty forward who has the capability to play with skill. In two games with the Wolf Pack, he has a goal and has been all over the ice. He even drew a penalty in Springfield on Wednesday, getting right under the skin of the Thunderbirds.
“Oh no, he’s back” has been a common thought from those associated with other teams in the Atlantic Division. That, to me, is an extremely high compliment to Blidh and his game.
Kalynuk, meanwhile, made his Wolf Pack debut on Wednesday night. His speed and skill was evident, and he wasn’t afraid to carry the puck through the neutral zone. He should help the club’s transition game, getting the puck to what has become a loaded group of forwards.
2.) Congratulations to defenseman Blake Hillman, whose one-year extension with the Wolf Pack was officially announced earlier on Thursday. Hillman has done a little bit of everything for Kris Knoblauch this season, lining up at both left wing and on defense. He’s the perfect kind of depth piece for a successful AHL team, someone who can play multiple roles and who can provide steady play. That is a vital piece to have, and the Wolf Pack locked up a good one for the 2023-24 season.
3.) What a weird weekend it was for the Wolf Pack. On Friday night, it felt like a playoff game between the Wolf Pack and Thunderbirds. Louis Domingue was terrific, making a season-high 42 saves to snag a point in a 1-0 shootout loss. How hard were goals to come by in that game? Domingue and Joel Hofer, who made 27 saves for a shutout of his own, teamed up to stop the first ten shooters in the shootout.
On Saturday, goals were not hard to come by for the Wolf Pack. It was Hartford’s best performance of the season, as the club dominated for 60 minutes and scored a 9-0 victory over the Bridgeport Islanders. More on that in a moment.
Sunday certainly left a bitter taste. Through 40 minutes, the Wolf Pack led 3-1 and were clearly the better team. The final 20 minutes painted a different picture. The Wolf Pack surrendered five goals in the third period, falling 6-3 in stunning fashion. It was the second time this season that the club was hit for five goals against in a period, and by goal differential (-5) it was the worst period of the season.
Wednesday night continued that trend. The Wolf Pack lost 4-0 in Springfield, meaning they head to Rochester having surrendered nine unanswered goals. At five-on-five, the Wolf Pack actually played a solid defensive game. The issue in this tilt? Two powerplay goals and a shorthanded marker allowed. It just wasn’t the Pack’s night. That happens sometimes.
4.) Saturday night was a historic night for the Wolf Pack in a few regards. The eleven shots allowed were the fewest in franchise history. The previous low? 13, done three times. The nine goals scored, meanwhile, were a season-high and tied for the second highest output in franchise history (ten).
The win margin, nine, was also the largest in franchise history. It tied the 10-1 victory the Wolf Pack had over the Springfield Falcons on March 29th, 2008.
The powerplay went 3-for-4 in the victory, marking the first time all season that the Wolf Pack lit the lamp three times in a single game with the skater advantage. All around, it was a dominant performance in a vitally important contest.
5.) This weekend provides a different type of challenge, as the Wolf Pack will embark on their last true road trip of the season. The Pack are in Rochester to conclude the two-game season series with the Americans on Friday night. The puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. Hartford took a 4-1 decision over Rochester, in which they controlled the game for 60 minutes, back on January 21st at the XL Center.
On Saturday, the Wolf Pack will head to Canada for the only time this season and will meet a new opponent for the final time in 2022-23 as they visit the Toronto Marlies. The puck drop is set for 5:00 p.m. Last year, the Wolf Pack and Marlies both missed the postseason and split two games, with the home team dominating both meetings.
This year, the Marlies are cruising to the Calder Cup Playoffs, leading the North Division.
Toronto will head to Hartford on April 5th.
6.) So, at the start of this column we told you that there are 16 games remaining and that the Wolf Pack control their own destiny. “But Alex,” you ask, “where do we keep track of all of this?” I’m glad you asked. The AHL has you covered with the annual playoff primer. That is your one-stop shop for everything Calder Cup Playoffs. You can find it here.
Hartford’s current magic number to make the Calder Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2015? 35. Buckle up, it’s going to be a wild ride to the finish.
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ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack are the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and play at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers newest faces including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.