Wolf Pack Face Critical Stretch Run After All-Star Break
HARTFORD, CT - The All-Star break is in the rearview mirror, and the Hartford Wolf Pack are staring down a pivotal final push. With just 27 games left in the regular season, Hartford finds itself seven points shy of the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. The race is on, and it starts this weekend with a tough two-game road swing in Charlotte.
Let’s break down where the Wolf Pack stand, what went down before the break, and what’s coming up in this crucial stretch.
Recap: A Tough Weekend Against Providence
Friday, Feb. 6 - at Providence Bruins (1-3 Loss)
The Wolf Pack came out of the gate slow on Friday night, and Providence made them pay-twice in under a minute late in the first period. Georgii Merkulov struck first, pouncing on a rebound to beat Dylan Garand with just over two minutes left in the frame.
Seconds later, Frederic Brunet picked off a pass, walked into the slot, and wired home his eighth of the season. Just like that, it was 2-0.
Trey Fix-Wolansky gave Hartford life in the second period, ripping home his team-leading 16th goal of the year from the left circle. But despite a strong push in the third, the Pack couldn’t solve Michael DiPietro again. Merkulov sealed it with his second of the night midway through the final frame.
Saturday, Feb. 7 - vs. Providence Bruins (1-2 Shootout Loss)
The rematch on Saturday was a much tighter affair, but the result was just as frustrating for Hartford. Providence struck first again, this time on the power play. Brett Harrison buried a cross-ice feed from Merkulov at 10:42 of the first, beating a sprawling Spencer Martin.
Connor Mackey responded early in the second during four-on-four play, sneaking a shot past Luke Cavallin from the left wing to knot things up. From there, it was a goaltending duel. Neither side could break through in the third or overtime, sending the game to a shootout-just the second of the season for both teams.
Unfortunately for Hartford, the sticks went cold. The Pack went 0-for-3 in the shootout, and Merkulov played hero once again, scoring the winner in the bottom of the third round. That gave Providence a weekend sweep and extended their win streak to ten games.
What’s Next: Back-to-Back in Charlotte
Saturday, Feb. 14 & Sunday, Feb. 15 - at Charlotte Checkers (4:00 p.m. both days)
The Wolf Pack hit the road for a two-game set in North Carolina, kicking off their post-break schedule with a critical matchup against the Charlotte Checkers. It’s the first of two trips to the Tar Heel State this season, and these games carry weight-especially with Hartford trying to claw back into playoff position.
The season series is currently split 1-1, with each team winning on the road. Hartford took the first meeting back on October 29 with a convincing 4-1 win. Gabe Perreault led the charge with three points (1G, 2A), and Justin Dowling netted a pair, including the game-winner just 30 seconds into the second period.
But Charlotte answered in emphatic fashion on January 28, handing Hartford a 7-1 loss that left little doubt. Nate Smith opened the scoring early, and the Checkers never looked back. Riese Gaber had a four-point night, and Brett Chorske added two goals in a dominant effort.
Last season, Hartford went 2-1-1-0 in Charlotte-proof that they can find success in a tough building. With the playoff race heating up, they’ll need that kind of performance again.
Quick Hits
- New Addition on the Blue Line: Veteran defenseman Travis Dermott has joined the Wolf Pack on a professional tryout agreement (PTO). He signed just before the All-Star break and is still awaiting his debut. Dermott brings NHL experience and could be a stabilizing presence on the back end as the team gears up for a playoff push.
- Roster Movement: The New York Rangers reassigned goaltender Callum Tung to the ECHL’s Bloomington Bison. That move leaves Hartford with Dylan Garand and Spencer Martin between the pipes heading into the weekend.
- Olympic Spotlight: Former Wolf Pack forward Cristiano DiGiacinto is representing Team Italy at the 2026 Winter Olympics. DiGiacinto spent parts of three seasons in Hartford from 2021-22 through 2023-24.
- Staying Out of the Box? Not Quite: The Wolf Pack have racked up 621 penalty minutes this season-second-most in the Atlantic Division.
Only the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have more with 645. Discipline will be key down the stretch.
How to Watch and Listen
Both games in Charlotte will be streamed live on AHLTV via FloHockey. Alex Thomas will have the call, with 'Wolf Pack Pregame' starting at 3:45 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. You can also catch the audio broadcast on Mixlr.
The Wolf Pack have 27 games to make up ground, and it starts now. If they’re going to make a run, it has to begin with a strong showing in Charlotte. The margin for error is shrinking-but the opportunity is still there.
Buckle up. The stretch drive is here.
