Head-to-head:
This is the fourth of ten meetings on the year between the Wolf Pack and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the top affiliate of the New York Islanders, and the second Bridgeport visit to the XL Center. After losses in the first two encounters, including a 5-1 defeat October 27 in the only previous meeting here in Hartford, the Wolf Pack bested the Sound Tigers 2-1 on Saturday night in Bridgeport. The Sound Tigers’ Michael Dal Colle is the leading scorer in the series, with 1-3-4, and Joe Whitney (1-1-2), Neal Pionk (0-2-2) and Cole Schneider (0-2-2) share the Wolf Pack team lead. The Wolf Pack were 2-4-1-1 in an eight-game season series last year, 1-2-1-0 in four home games. All-time against Bridgeport, the Wolf Pack are 82(W)-60(L)-3(T)-11(OTL)-7(SOL) in 163 meetings, 48(W)-24(L)-2(T)-4(OTL)-3(SOL) at home.
Wolf Pack Notebook:
The Wolf Pack (6-7-1-1, 14 pts., .467) are unbeaten in regulation in their last three games (2-0-1-0), but had a two-game winning streak snapped in their last outing, a 3-2 overtime loss to Laval here at the XL Center on Sunday. Vinni Lettieri netted his team-leading sixth goal of the year, his second tally in three games, and Dan Catenacci scored for a second straight game, his first Wolf Pack goal-scoring streak. John Gilmour had an assist for a second consecutive contests, and he has helpers in three of the last four (0-3-3). Alexandar Georgiev made his third straight start in the Hartford net, making 37 saves, and has stopped 101 out of the 107 shots (.944) he has faced in those three games. He is 3-1-1 in his last five decisions. Tonight’s game is the last of a stretch of four out of five at home for the Wolf Pack, who will play their next three, and seven of their next nine, on the road.
Sound Tigers Notebook:
The Sound Tigers’ (6-7-0-0, 12 pts., .462) last action was Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to the Wolf Pack, which was Bridgeport’s second straight defeat after wins in five of their previous six. The only Sound Tiger goal in that game came of the stick of former Wolf Pack captain Ryan Bourque, who played 325 games in a Wolf Pack/Whale uniform, the third-most in franchise history, from 2011-16. He now has points in three straight games (1-2-3), and Steve Bernier extended a point-scoring streak to three games (2-1-3) with an assist. Devon Toews had the other assist, his third in the last three games. Christopher Gibson had a streak of three straight wins snapped in goal, making 23 saves. Bridgeport has won its last three road games, after losing three of its first four.
Last Night in the AHL:
Grand Rapids 6 @ San Antonio 3
Today/Tonight in the AHL (all times Eastern):
Charlotte @ Springfield (10:30 AM) Iowa @ Rockford (10:30 AM) Lehigh Vall. @ Belleville (7:00) Syracuse @ Hershey (7:00)
Binghamton @ Rochester (7:05) Utica @ Laval (7:30) Chicago @ Manitoba (8:00) San Ant. @ Texas (8:30)
New York Rangers Notebook:
The parent New York Rangers (9-7-2, 20 pts.) go for a seventh straight win at Chicago tonight (8:00), and the Blueshirts visit Columbus on Friday (7:00). New York’s last action was a 4-2 victory over EdmontonSaturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden. Rick Nash led the way with a pair of goals, including the power-play game-winner, Pavel Buchnevich also scored, and Michael Grabner added an empty-netter. Mats Zuccarello had two assists, and Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves to get the win.
Tonight in the NHL (all times Eastern):
NY Rangers @ Chicago (8:00) Calgary @ Detroit (7:30) Boston @ Anaheim (10:00)