Game Preview: Checkers at Bakersfield (Dec. 9, 2016)

The Checkers return to Bakersfield looking to snap their road skid before it hits a historic level.

Here are 8 things to watch for in tonight’s game.

1. ON THE SKIDS

With last night’s 3-1 loss in Stockton, the Checkers have now dropped six consecutive games on the road and have been winless in their last eight. Those each match the longest such streaks in franchise history, both set over the same stretch in the 2014-15 season. Charlotte’s longest losing and winless streaks overall are seven and 10 games, respectively.

2. SCORING DROUGHT

The most notable deficiency for the Checkers as of late has been their offense.

Over the current eight-game winless streak away from home, the Checkers have totaled nine goals, never scoring more than two in a game. That’s been an issue for the team, as they are 1-12-1 when potting two or fewer goals and 8-0-0 when breaking past that mark.

With their big guns currently called up by Carolina, the Checkers’ main scoring options have been able to pick things up in their absence. Current goal leader Valentin Zykov hasn’t lit the lamp since Nov. 26, a five-game drought, while current scoring leader Andrew Poturalski has one point in his last nine contests. Similarly, Andrew Miller and Lucas Wallmark have combined for one point over the last six games.

3. SURGING SWEDE

If there has been one bright spot on the Checkers’ offense as of late, it has been Erik Karlsson. After picking up a pair of assists last Saturday in Ontario, the second-year pro added another helper last night to give him four points in his last five games. It also marked the first time in Karlsson’s North American career that he has recorded points in consecutive games. The Swede now sits at five points on the year, already over halfway to his rookie season total.

4. WEST COAST WOES

This year’s California road trip is only halfway over, but it has already yielded vastly different results than last year’s.

The Checkers took 11 of a possible 12 points during their West Coast swing in 2015-16. This season, they have dropped each of their first four contests, locking it in that they will finish the trip with a record below .500.

This trip combined with road sweeps at Texas and San Antonio earlier this season put the Checkers at 0-8-0 against the Pacific Division this season. Following the conclusion of the California trip, the Checkers will still have a two-game slate in Tucson before welcoming those divisional opponents for rematches in Charlotte.

5. POWER OUTAGE

The Checkers had plenty of chances Wednesday night against Stockton to break out of their power-play funk, but couldn’t break their streak. With an 0-for-8 performance, Charlotte is now 0-for-its-last-32 man advantages, with its last power-play goal coming on Nov. 22.

Furthermore, the Checkers have scored a power-play goals in just two of their last 12 games, a 2-48 stretch. The team’s power-play percentage has dipped to 9.6%, last in the AHL and almost three whole percentage points behind the next-worst team.

In the Checkers’ AHL history, the worst power-play percentage they’ve had to finish a season was 13.7% in 2014-15.

6. REINFORCEMENTS

The Checkers’ second swing through California will see them sporting some fresh faces who could help them right the ship.

Most notably is Klas Dahlbeck, who will be a solid boost to the Checkers’ back end. On a conditioning stint from Carolina, Dahlbeck carries with him a wealth of experience. The Swede has logged nearly 200 AHL games with Rockford and Portland and spent the entirety of the 2015-16 campaign in the NHL with the Arizona Coyotes, recording eight points in 71 games. The addition of Dahlbeck, who could not make it to Stockton in time for Wednesday night’s game after being assigned earlier in the day, gives the Checkers seven healthy options on their blue line heading into a back-to-back series this weekend.

Up front, Patrick Dwyer made his return from injury Wednesday night in Stockton. After being sidelined for seven games, the veteran drew back in and was a force on the fourth line, creating several chances in close.

7. AGAINST BAKERSFIELD

Last week’s meeting between Charlotte and Bakersfield was the first ever, and the first time the Checkers have faced an Edmonton affiliate since 2014-15.

The Condors got the best of the Checkers in that meeting, with a familiar face leading the way. After stifling the Checkers with a 1.74 goals-against average in 10 games during the 2014-15 season, Laurent Brossoit again gave them fits, turning aside every shot he faced to earn the shutout.

After a slow start out of the gates, the Condors have won three of their last four on home ice to pull themselves out of the Pacific Division cellar, powered by the fourth-ranked defense in the AHL.

8. TUNE IN!

It's going to be another late one tonight, so throw on some coffee and follow along! Follow @CheckersInGame on Twitter for updates and head here to listen to Jason Shaya's call of the game! You can also tweet at him to let him know you're listening!

You can also download the new Checkers App, available for both iPhones and Androids, for score updates and to play the new Top Line game!