The Providence Bruins face off against the Hartford Wolf Pack on Wednesday, May 1, at the AMP. Providence kicks off its run for the Calder Cup after a first-round bye, while Hartford defeated the Charlotte Checkers in the first round in a best-of-three series. Puck is set to drop at 7:05 PM
Why the Bruins are Here
The Bruins earned a first-round bye after securing second place in the Atlantic with a 42-21-6-3 record. Their regular season was, by all accounts, successful. Starting May 1, they will face the Hartford Wolf Pack in a best-of-five series.
One of the main reasons the Bruins saw success is their dominant offense. Forward Georgii Merkulov had 30 goals (65 points) throughout 67 games. Merkulov had a handful of clutch moments and game-winning goals throughout the season.
Fabian Lysell suffered an upper-body injury after crashing into the boards at the end of March. Prior to his injury, he had accumulated 50 points in 56 games. Lysell also suffered a concussion during the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs that forced his season to end early.
John Farinacci‘s strong 200-foot game provides an edge to his game. The forward signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins over the summer. He has tallied 12 goals and 38 points through 71 games.
You don’t see success this season without a solid goaltending duo. Michael DiPietro had two shutouts against the Hartford Wolf Pack. He finished the season with a .918 SV% and 2.51 GAA in 30 appearances.
Brandon Bussi has captained the ship through 41 starts. The 25-year-old finished the regular season with a .913 SV% and 2.67 GAA. Bussi has a .926 SV% through nine Calder Cup Playoff appearances.
Why the Wolf Pack are Here
The first, and biggest, reason the Wolf Pack is in the Atlantic Division Semifinals is goaltender Dylan Garand. The second-year netminder was sensational in Hartford’s series against the Charlotte Checkers, posting a 1.61 GAA and a .955 SV% in the three-game set.
Garand stopped 38 of the 39 shots he faced in the winner-take-all Game Three, setting up the Wolf Pack’s date with Providence. Garand also picked up his first professional point with an assist on Nic Petan’s goal in Game Two. Hartford needed Garand to find his early-season stride to advance in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Garand responded with another elite playoff performance to send the Wolf Pack to the Atlantic Division Semifinals.
Hartford’s increase in scoring also helped them advance past Charlotte. In four regular-season games in the Queen City, the Wolf Pack totaled just two goals. Hartford was blanked twice, with Spencer Knight and Magnus Hellberg each recording a shutout. Obviously, you can’t win if you don’t score, so Hartford’s offense needed to step up. They did, scoring seven goals over the three games, with contributions coming up and down the lineup.
Finally, the Wolf Pack’s resiliency was a key factor in their series victory. Hartford dropped Game One on a heartbreaking shorthanded goal late in the third period from Will Lockwood. In the following contest, they conceded the icebreaker less than five minutes into the opening frame.
It would’ve been very easy for the Wolf Pack to accept the loss. However, they fought back, picking up a gritty overtime win in Game Two and riding a stellar performance from their goaltender to a series-clinching win in Game Three.
Regular Season Series Results
The regular season series between Hartford and Providence was about as even as possible. The two teams met ten times during the regular season, with each side winning five matchups. The Wolf Pack posted a 5-4-1-0 record in the series, picking up eleven points, while the Bruins went 5-3-1-1, recording twelve points.
Providence Bruins vs Hartford Wolf Pack Storylines to Watch
Fans should pay attention to the following storylines for the semifinal matchup:
Will Fabian Lysell Slot In?
Getting Lysell back for the postseason is crucial. He has a set of speed and offense skills that take the Bruins’ lineup to the next level. The most important matter is whether he is fully healthy. He hasn’t played a game in over a month. There is a chance it takes him a few shifts to get reacclimated. In a best-of-five series, immediate success isn’t a red flag.
Can the Bruins’ Discipline and Special Teams Make a Difference?
Providence finished the season with a 5-3-1-1 record against the Hartford Wolfpack. The Bruins have struggled to play a disciplined game, and they’re quick to land themselves in the penalty box. They also struggle with special teams, and the Wolf Pack tops them in both categories.
Hartford PP: 23.3% vs. Boston PP: 19.5%
Hartford PK: 80.5% vs. Boston PK: 76.7%
Will Brennan Othmann be good to go?
Forward Brennan Othmann was one of the Wolf Pack’s most impactful players this season. The rookie winger recorded 49 points in the regular season and added a pair of assists in Hartford’s opening-round series with Charlotte.
However, in the third and final game of the series, Brendan Perlini boarded Othmann in the final minutes of the second period. Othmann went down the tunnel with an athletic trainer and did not return to the game.
There have been no updates on Othmann’s status, and it’s unlikely we’ll get one until game time on Wednesday. If Othmann is unavailable, look for fellow wingers Bobby Trivigno or Matej Pekar to draw into the lineup.
Can Hartford’s defense prevent chances?
While the Wolf Pack came away with the win in their opening-round series in Charlotte, it certainly didn’t come easy. Hartford was outshot by the Checkers in all three games, twice by double-digit margins. Luckily, Garand was lights out in net, never allowing more than two goals in any game in the series.
However, the Wolf Pack can’t rely solely on Garand. The blueliners will need to step up and prevent Providence from getting pucks on net. If they do, and if Garand continues his strong play in goal, Hartford can win this series.
Bruins Players to Watch
The Goaltenders
Based on his performance against Hartford, it’s safe to say DiPietro could be the starter. He has a proven track record in his five starts, including two shutouts and a .927 SV%. The Bruins need a consistent netminder to face a powerhouse like Hartford.
Fabian Lysell
Lysell is returning after missing a month. He was expected to make significant strides in his development this season. This is a test to gauge where he’s at health-wise but also how he stacks up in do-or-die situations.
Wolf Pack Players to Watch
Ryder Korczak
In the Wolf Pack’s opening-round series with Charlotte, no skater impressed me more than Ryder Korczak. Korczak spent most of the year on the fourth line, frequently skating between players like Matt Rempe, Turner Elson, and Trivigno, among others.
However, with fellow center Karl Henriksson missing Hartford’s series with Charlotte, Korczak got an opportunity to skate as a top-six forward. Korczak formed a “kid line” with fellow rookies Brett Berard and Othmann, and the trio played well together.
The three men combined for seven total points in the series, with Korczak tallying a goal and an assist in the pivotal second game of the set.
If Korczak can continue to step up during this series with Providence, the Wolf Pack will have to feel good about their chances.
Jaroslav Chmelař
During his sophomore campaign at Providence College earlier this year, Jaroslav Chmelař suffered a wrist injury thanks to a skate cut. The injury caused him to miss a portion of the season, and as a result, he only recorded five goals through 26 games.
Chmelař turned pro after the Friars were eliminated from the 2024 Hockey East tournament. He’s played in ten total games since going pro, seven in the regular season and three in the playoffs. In those seven games, Chmelař has already recorded three goals. He added his latest in the deciding third game of Hartford’s series with Charlotte, scoring the icebreaker on a partial breakaway.
Chmelař’s combination of size, speed, and skill makes him a perfect piece of Hartford’s bottom six. His game is very similar to teammate Adam Edström, so it’s no surprise that Chmelař has done well filling in for Edström after the Swede was recalled by the New York Rangers as a black ace. Watch for him to make an impact during the Atlantic Division Semifinals.
Bold Predictions
Keegan Jarvis
I made the mistake of counting out the Wolf Pack during their first-round series with Charlotte. Hartford has a history of struggles in North Carolina, and I expected them to continue in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Clearly, the Wolf Pack proved me wrong, as they’re still alive.
I think Dylan Garand will pitch at least one shutout in the series. Garand played some of his best hockey of the season in Charlotte, and I think he’s due for a clean sheet. Also, Garand blanked the Bruins twice in last year’s Atlantic Division Semifinals, including in the series-clinching fourth game. Could history repeat itself this year? The Wolf Pack certainly hope so.
Keegan Jarvis
My bold prediction: DiPietro records a shutout.
Providence Bruins vs Hartford Wolf Pack Series Prediction
Keegan Jarvis: Up next for the Wolf Pack? The Atlantic Division Semifinals against the Providence Bruins. While Providence put up 15 more points than Hartford in the regular season, the two teams were evenly matched every time they stepped on the ice. With Hartford coming off a pair of momentum-building victories in Charlotte, I’m taking the Wolf Pack in 5 in this series.
Jessica Belmosto: Hartford in 5
