The Hartford Wolf Pack remain in contention for the AHL playoffs after securing two victories over the past weekend, narrowing their deficit in the standings. After falling 2-1 to Utica on Friday and trailing by eight points, Hartford bounced back with consecutive wins on Saturday and Sunday to cut the gap to five points. These wins have renewed some urgency around their postseason chances as they prepare for upcoming matchups.
Veteran goaltender Spencer Martin ended a personal seven-game winless streak by delivering a shutout performance against Belleville on Saturday, stopping all 20 shots and leading Hartford to a 4-0 victory. The Wolf Pack capitalized on this momentum the following day with a 5-2 triumph over Providence, fueled by strong performances from Dylan Roobroeck and Trey Fix-Wolansky, who both recorded three points in the game.
Currently sitting eighth in the league with a record of 19-25-4-2 and 44 points, Hartford faces a critical two-game series on the road in Allentown against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, who are just six points ahead in the standings. These games will be key to maintaining their playoff push.
Travis Dermott Shows Composure in His First Two Hartford Games
Travis Dermott joined the Hartford Wolf Pack on a Professional Tryout (PTO) contract on February 7 and quickly made an impact in his first two appearances last weekend. The 29-year-old defenseman was paired with Derrick Pouliot on the second defensive pairing and assisted on Juuso Pärssinen’s goal during his debut on Friday. Dermott followed that up by playing a steady role in the shutout win on Saturday.
This marked Dermott’s first competitive action since undergoing shoulder surgery last offseason and since last playing on April 19, 2025, with AHL Bakersfield. Despite that lengthy absence, his calm and experienced presence on the blue line was evident, consistent with his 348 NHL games primarily with the Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as stints with the Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers last season.
Hartford coach Grant Potulny chose to rest Dermott on Sunday to avoid back-to-back games, indicating careful management of his return. Dermott’s PTO represents a chance to earn a longer contract as the New York Rangers seek to bolster organizational defensive depth amid ongoing struggles.
Juuso with the juice tonight 🧃 pic.twitter.com/p7nO83buho
?Hartford Wolf Pack
Brandon Scanlin Makes a Statement Following Return to Lineup
Brandon Scanlin’s weekend was notable after missing the Friday game as a healthy scratch. Returning with determination, the fourth-year professional scored the game-winning goal in both Saturday’s and Sunday’s contests, ending a 13-game goal drought. He also showed a physical edge by engaging in a fight with Dennis Gilbert of Belleville after a questionable hit on teammate Zakary Karpa.
Scanlin took four shots on goal across the two games and earned a plus-three rating, highlighting his effective two-game run. Despite dealing with injury setbacks earlier this season, he has quietly contributed seven points (three goals, four assists) in 27 games. This compares favorably to his previous season’s total of 14 points in 66 games.
Dennis Gilbert vs Brandon Scanlin from the Belleville Senators at Hartford Wolf Pack game on Feb 21, 2026 https://t.co/RFeCzgPLXp
?HockeyFights.com
2 goals in as many nights for Scans 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/XM1ZM55fJn
?Hartford Wolf Pack
As Scanlin approaches unrestricted free agency, the Rangers must decide if he fits into their future plans. Although he has appeared in just one NHL game and is not considered a top prospect, Scanlin remains a reliable AHL defenseman who adds valuable depth.
Dylan Roobroeck Capitalizes on Increased Role
Dylan Roobroeck earned a promotion to Hartford’s second line following the Friday loss, which resulted in a breakout showing. The 21-year-old, a 2023 sixth-round pick by the Rangers, amassed four points—one goal and three assists—over two games while playing alongside Adam Sýkora and Trey Fix-Wolansky. His standout performance against Providence included his fifth multi-point game of the season, ending a 14-game goalless streak and recording a plus-four rating, the best in his professional career.
Roobs tips this one in for his 9th of the season pic.twitter.com/TjLBD9oiBK
?Hartford Wolf Pack
Previously relegated to the third line with limited ice time, Roobroeck struggled to produce consistently, registering points in just 14 of 50 games. Last season, he led the Wolf Pack with 20 goals, but this year he has managed only nine. His recent elevation to a more prominent role could spark a stronger finish as the 2025-26 season winds down, though his 20 points so far have been below expectations.
Upcoming Hartford Wolf Pack Fixtures to Watch
All Hartford Wolf Pack games can be streamed on AHLTV and listened to via Mixlr. The team’s upcoming weekend series features two home games at the PPL Center against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
On Saturday, February 28, the Wolf Pack will face the Phantoms at 7:05 p.m. This will be the fifth meeting between the teams this season, with Hartford holding an 0-1-2-1 record against Lehigh Valley. The Phantoms currently sit fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 23-22-2-2 record and 50 points in the Eastern Conference.
Lehigh Valley’s key contributors include Lane Pederson leading with 33 points (16 goals, 17 assists), while Anthony Richard and Christian Kyrou are tied for second in scoring with 28 points each.
The series will conclude on Sunday, March 1, at 3:05 p.m. Hartford enters this game with an 11-12-1-1 road record, aiming to close the gap in the standings before the regular season ends.
Juuso with the juice tonight 🧃 pic.twitter.com/p7nO83buho
— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) February 21, 2026
Dennis Gilbert vs Brandon Scanlin from the Belleville Senators at Hartford Wolf Pack game on Feb 21, 2026 https://t.co/RFeCzgPLXp
— HockeyFights.com (@hockeyfights) February 22, 2026
2 goals in as many nights for Scans 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/XM1ZM55fJn
— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) February 22, 2026
Roobs tips this one in for his 9th of the season pic.twitter.com/TjLBD9oiBK
— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) February 22, 2026
