GAME PREVIEW: AMERKS LOOK FOR THREE-STRAIGHT AT HOME VERSUS WOLF PACK
Rochester closes out a four-game homestand against Hartford
Nov 6, 2026The Rochester Americans (6-4-0-1) look to remain undefeated on Friday’s as they host the Hartford Wolf Pack (6-7-1-0) to cap off a four-game homestand at Blue Cross Arena.
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The red, white, and blue began a daunting, three games in four days stretch on Wednesday with a 4-1 victory over the Cleveland Monsters. The win resulted in the Amerks first non-Friday win of the season and back-to-back victories for the first time this year.
Hartford enters the weekend having played the most games in the AHL (14), amid a season-long eight-game road swing. The Wolf Pack began the campaign 3-0-0-0 but lost their next five in order and are coming off a 4-1 defeat in Hershey on Wednesday.
The Amerks swept both games in the season series a year ago, edging out a 4-3 shootout win at PeoplesBank Arena and a 6-3 final at Blue Cross Arena on Bills Day this past March.
Expect a great crowd on hand for Youth Hockey Night in the Flower City, including a guest appearance from Amerks Hall of Famer and new Jr. Amerks general manager, Domenic Pittis. Puck drop for the first of two meeting against the Wolf Pack is slated for 7:05 p.m. with pregame coverage on WGR Rochester and AHLTV on FloHockey beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Here is what you need to know before tonight’s game:
HEATING UP AT HOME
We’ve already discussed how the Amerks have put up crooked numbers on the scoreboard at home, but now it’s becoming a more pattern compared to a fluke. Rochester ranks third in the AHL with a +11-goal differential at home, outscoring opponents 25-14 inside Blue Cross Arena. The only teams with a better rate are Grand Rapids (+16) and Manitoba (+12), who both sit atop of the Western Conference standings.
A large reason for the Amerks success at home has been establishing early leads. With two more goals in the first period versus Cleveland, Rochester leads road teams 14-4, having the highest differential in the league (+10) through the opening 20.
Hartford is a group who struggles to generate consistent offense regardless of the period, sitting 29th in the league in scoring (2.43) and 26th in shots on goal (26.1 per game).
Continue to apply pressure early as Rochester has done all season long and they’ll put themselves in a great position for the group’s sixth Friday win of the year.
POLIN’S PUTTING UP NUMBERS
Jason Polin exhibited his scoring touch this past Calder Cup Playoff run with nine points (3+6) in 17 postseason games but is taking his production to the next level in 2026-27.
A key addition this past offseason, Polin is at a point-per-game pace, with a team-leading seven goals and four assists. In his 134 games over three seasons as a member of the Colorado Eagles, the Holt, Michigan, native had three multi-goal efforts. It took Polin just 11 games as an Amerk to reach that same milestone, highlighted by back-to-back two-goal nights against Lehigh Valley and Cleveland.
He has three man-advantage goals during the homestand, and sits tied for the second in the AHL in power-play goals (5) and points (9).
The former Hobey Baker Award Finalist at Western Michigan had a career-high 21 points (10+11) in 46 games with the Eagles. Now in an increased role as a top-six forward and net-front presence on the top power-play unit, Polin is taking advantage of the change in scenery.
BOYKO’S REVENGE GAME
Due to the back-to-back and playing a red-hot Utica Comets squad tomorrow night, it appears that Amerks netminder Talyn Boyko will get the start tonight against his former team.
A New York Rangers’ fourth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, Boyko appeared in just 10 games (2-4-2) over two seasons with the Wolf Pack. After seeing inconsistent play in Hartford last season, he was loaned to KalPa of the Finnish Liiga get more playing time. Following a 13-10-4 record and 2.57 goals-against average in the regular and postseason, Amerks general manager Stacy Roest saw enough to give the 6-foot-8 goaltender a chance for a contract in September.
Boyko became the tallest goaltender in Amerks history last month in his team debut on the road, stopping 24 shots in a 4-2 loss against Syracuse. With fellow goaltender Matt Villalta having the highest workload in the league with nine appearances thus far, anticipate Boyko making most of the opportunity if his number is called tonight.