GAME PREVIEW: AMERKS HOST AHL’S BEST AS BRUINS COME TO TOWN
Five things to know as Rochester looks to salvage homestand before playing six of seven away
Apr 4, 2026By Andrew Mossbrooks | @ Mossbrooks48
Ahead of a road-heavy slate to end the season, the Rochester Americans (28-27-5-4) will close out a four-game homestand Saturday evening as they host the Providence Bruins (51-14-1-0).
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Here are five things to know before Rochester closes out the weekend.
LATE START, TOUGH LOSS
On Friday, the Amerks were unable to overcome falling behind by three goals eight minutes into the contest as they dropped a 5-2 final to the Belleville Senators. Anton Wahlberg scored on the power play before Olivier Nadeau got the Amerks back within a goal entering the third, but a pair of timely tallies from the Sens allowed them to gain two pivotal points on the Amerks.
As a result, Rochester will enter Saturday only four points ahead of Belleville and five up on Utica. The Comets and Senators face one another, meaning the Amerks have to win Saturday or at least one of the teams behind them will be gaining ground.
Elsewhere in the Empire State, Providence was able to skate into Syracuse and leave with a 4-2 win, allowing them to clinch the Atlantic Division title. This marks the fourth time in seven seasons the Bruins will finish first in their division. Providence will aim for a sweep of the state following wins over Utica and Syracuse this week.
SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT
Konsta Helenius continues to have a remarkable season. The 19-year-old extended his point streak to six games with an assist Friday night, recording four goals and 11 points since Mar. 22.
The Ylöjärvi, Finland, native leads all Amerks forwards with 56 points (19+37) and trails only Zac Jones in points overall on the team. Helenius turns 20 years old on May 11 and has produced the best single-season by an Amerks teenager in franchise history, recently passing Jozef Cierny, who recorded 54 points (27+27) as the previous leader for the franchise in 1992-93.
Since turning pro in North America, Helenius has amassed 91 points (33+58) while wearing the red, white, and blue. Earlier this season, he earned his first NHL call-up, churning out four points (1+3) in nine games with the Sabres.
FRENEMIES
Amerks forward Trevor Kuntar will get the chance to face his former team for the first time in his career. Before signing with Rochester over the summer, Kuntar was a Bruins prospect.
Boston selected the Williamsville, New York, native in the third round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, then assigned Kuntar to Providence for his first two professional seasons. After a 20-point rookie season, Kuntar was unable to solidify a role for himself in year two, appearing in 54 games and scoring three goals last season.
The change in scenery has resulted in a massive jump in production. The 24-year-old is fifth in points with the Amerks and third in goals with 17. Kuntar and Helenius share the lead on the team for game-winning-goals with four, including Kuntar’s overtime thriller against Toronto back on Mar. 13.
In one season as an Amerk, Kuntar has tied his combined point totals over two seasons with Providence. The winger has 32 points in 62 games with Rochester after producing just as many points in 124 games with the P-Bruins.
IT DOESN’T GET MUCH BETTER
Rochester’s battle continues to be an uphill one, with no team steeper of a climb than the league-leading Bruins. Providence is the only team to exceed the 50-win mark this season, running the AHL currently with 103 points. After winning the Atlantic Division Friday, Providence can secure the Eastern Conference title with a win against Rochester.
The Bruins will continue their pursuit of a McGregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the regular season champions of the league as they rank two points ahead of Grand Rapids in the Central Division.
Providence boasts a remarkable +76 goal differential, scoring the third-most goals in the league while surrendering the second-fewest. The Bruins have 13 players with at least 20 points and six with at least 15 goals.
After backing up Friday, signs would point to Michael DiPietro getting the nod in goal. The seventh-year pro leads the AHL in wins, goals-against average, and save percentage. DiPietro is 6-1-1 lifetime against Rochester. His lone regulation loss against Rochester came when the former Canucks Draft Pick was a member of Utica on Feb. 16, 2020.
DO IT FOR DON
Saturday is the penultimate home game for the Amerks during the regular season. Off the ice, the team will be honoring its Hall of Fame broadcaster on Don Stevens Appreciation Night.
Stevens, who will enjoy the game with friends and family, will be recognized throughout the evening, including a pregame ceremony where the voice of the Amerks since 1986 will address the fans at ice level at Blue Cross Arena.