Quick Hits:
-Albany begins this week with a 39-17-8-2 record, 88 points, and a .667 points percentage. They remain in second place in the North, 11 points behind Toronto and 12 points ahead of Utica. Their magic number to clinch a Calder Cup playoff berth sits at 1, only needing to win or get to overtime to seal the deal. If the postseason were to begin today, the Devils would face Portland, who would cross over from the Atlantic having a better percentage than 4th place Syracuse (.583 to .537).
-There was a special guest at practice on Monday: Cory Schneider was assigned on Sunday for a one day conditioning stint, practicing here before heading back south to Newark.
-Add another amateur tryout to the roster, in the form of Providence College forward Trevor Mingoia. He just completed his senior season with the Friars, picking up 37 points in 36 games (14 G, 23 A). He lead Providence to a NCAA championship last season, and started his collegiate career in 2011-12 with Union.
-Mathieu Brodeur and Gunnar Hughes were both released from their PTOs on Monday, sending them back up the Northway to Adirondack.
Tuesday, 3/29 vs. Hartford
Where: Times Union Center, Albany, NY.
When: 7:00 PM.
Season Series: Albany leads 3-2.
Know Your Opponent:
Record: 36-28-3-0, 75 points, .560 pct, 6th place in Atlantic Division
Leading Scorers/Goaltending: Chad Nehring, 42 points (20 G, 22 A); Marek Hrivik, 39 points (11 G, 28 A); Jayson Megna, 34 points (12 G, 22 A); Magnus Hellberg, 27-17-3, 2.39 GAA; Jeff Malcolm, 7-5-0, 2.41 GAA
Notes: The Wolfpack dropped 2 of 3 last week, keeping them just two points behind Portland for the 5th place Atlantic crossover spot; they are 7-0 in shootouts this season, 7-3 in games decided in overtime; Hartford ranks 30th in the league in penalty minutes per game (9.93); they return home to host Hershey and Portland this weekend.
Listen: AHL Live
Tweet: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @WolfpackAHL
Friday, 4/1 & Sunday, 4/3 vs. Binghamton
Where: Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton, NY (Friday); Times Union Center, Albany, NY (Sunday).
When: 7:00 PM (Friday); 3:00 PM (Sunday).
Season Series: Albany leads 3-1.
Know Your Opponent:
Record: 27-34-5-1, 60 points, .448 pct, 7th place in North Division
Leading Scorers/Goaltending: Phil Varone, 47 points (18 G, 29 A); Jason Akeson, 45 points (11 G, 34 A); Casey Bailey, 32 points (9 G, 23 A); Chris Driedger, 16-13-3, 2.98 GAA; Matt O’Connor, 8-18-3, 3.39 GAA
Notes: The Senators have dropped 3 of their last 4, including a home and home with the Penguins last week; captain Zack Stortini leads the AHL in penalty minutes, with 177 in 64 games; Binghamton will host Utica on Saturday in between the home and home series; 43 different players, including 4 goaltenders, have made at least one appearance this season in a B-Sens sweater.
Listen: AHL Live, US 96.9 FM
Tweet: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @BSens_Hockey
Saturday, 4/2 vs. Springfield
Where: Times Union Center, Albany, NY.
When: 5:00 PM.
Season Series: Albany leads 3-2.
Know Your Opponent:
Record: 23-35-3-5, 54 points, .409 pct, 8th place in Atlantic Division
Leading Scorers/Goaltending: Greg Carey, 40 points (25 G, 15 A); Craig Cunningham, 37 points (18 G, 19 A); Philip Samuelsson, 31 points (4 G, 27 A); Niklas Treutle, 11-16-5, 2.91 GAA; Marek Langhamer, 6-8-2, 3.80 GAA
Notes: The Falcons are the first Eastern Conference team to officially be eliminated from Calder Cup playoff consideration; they have lost their last six, getting outscored 27-10 during that span; Springfield is halfway through a six game road swing that started in Albany last Tuesday, they go to Wilkes-Barre and Utica before returning to the Capital District; defenseman Alex Grant was recalled by Arizona over the weekend.
Listen: AHL Live, WHYN 560 AM
Tweet: @trace_1114, @AlbanyDevils, @TheFalconsAHL, @KatyLovesHockey
Thoughts Inside The Box 