Game Preview: Checkers vs Chicago (Nov. 22, 2016)

After a tough road trip, the Checkers are back at Bojangles' Coliseum where they will aim to get back on track and stay unbeaten at home.

Here are 10 things to watch for in tonight's game.

1. ON THE SKIDS

After riding an upswing of success earlier this month, the Checkers’ most recent road trip has brought the team back to Earth. Charlotte finds itself mired in a four-game winless streak, the team’s longest this season.

Despite the struggles, the Checkers have often found themselves on the cusp of breaking their skid. Through the four-game losing streak, Charlotte has been tied or within one goal in the third period for three of them, and they did not surrender more than two goals in regulation in any of the contests (excluding empty netters.)

“We have a pretty intense schedule over the next few days, so it’s important that we maintain good work ethic, which we had in particular in the last half of the last game,” said head coach Ulf Samuelsson. “We were working as hard as we could. We just need to be patient and get those pucks to go in and get energy from that.”

2. SCORING DROUGHT

While defense hasn't been much of an issue for the Checkers, offense has.

After hanging nine goals over two games against Iowa earlier this month, the Checkers’ offensive production has gone bone dry. The team has recorded a total of four goals during their last four games, a mark that has contributed mightily to the team’s winless skid.

3. MISSING PIECES

On Nov. 11, the Checkers top two scorers at the time, Derek Ryan and Brock McGinn, were recalled to Carolina, with top-scoring defenseman Matt Tennyson heading up the next day. Since losing those three, the Checkers have fallen into a four-game winless streak, one that they are currently still stuck in.

The Checkers have historically struggled without their captain in the lineup during his tenure with the team. With four games missed this season and six last season, the Checkers are 1-9-1 when Derek Ryan is not in the lineup. The offense in particular has been paltry without him, as the team has produced a total of 17 goals during those 11 games sans the captain, an average of 1.55 goals per game.

4. RUSSIAN ROLLING

One bright spot that Samuelsson pointed out on the offensive side of the puck, however, was Valentin Zykov, who potted two goals in the three games last week. The forward now ranks third on the team in scoring and is tied for the lead in goals, continuing his consistent production even without his normal linemates in McGinn and Ryan.

“Zykov is having a tremendous year,” said Samuelsson. “He’s playing heavy, he’s creating a lot of room for other players out there.”

5. FRESHMAN PHENOM

The other name Samuelsson threw out as someone who can keep the offense going is rookie Andrew Poturalski. In his first year as a pro, the forward continues to impress, drawing even with Derek Ryan for the team scoring lead and ranking third among all AHL rookies.

“With the call ups and so on, Poturalski has been moved up in our lineup and a lot of times he’s facing the opponent’s best players and most of the nights he’s doing really well,” said Samuelsson. “His progress is very good.”

6. MURPHY RETURNS

The Checkers did get a significant piece from Carolina heading into this homestand, in the form of Ryan Murphy. The blue liner comes to the Checkers on a conditioning stint, as he has found himself a healthy extra as of late with Carolina.

In his fourth year as a pro, the 2015 AHL All Star has been a force with the Checkers, racking up 65 points in 82 games, including a career high 24 in 32 games a season ago.

7. CHANGES IN NET

An injury to Eddie Lack yesterday afternoon caused a last-minute for the Checkers heading into today’s contest. The Hurricanes recalled veteran Michael Leighton, who had been a workhorse for the Checkers, on an emergency basis to back up Cam Ward. That leaves the Checkers with a current goalie tandem of rookie Alex Nedeljkovic and third-year pro Daniel Altshuller.

Nedeljkovic is 1-4-0 with the Checkers this season and has only made two appearances since Oct. 28. Altshuller, who stepped in a season ago and kickstarted the team’s hot streak, has spent the beginning of the season in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades, where he has gone 4-0-2 with a 1.80 goals-against average.

8. HOMESICK

After a nightmarish road trip, the Checkers are back in the friendly confines of Bojangles’ Coliseum, where they have yet to lose. At home, the Checkers are 4-0-0, making them the only team in the AHL to remain unbeaten at home, and are outscoring their opponents 13-3.

9. AGAINST THE WOLVES

The Checkers enjoyed a fair amount of success against their division rival last season, going 4-2-0-2 to take 10 of a possible 16 points. The good news for the Checkers is that they have earned at least a point in the standings in six consecutive meetings with the Wolves dating back to last season. Charlotte faired even better at home last season, going 3-0-0-1 against Chicago at Bojangles’ Coliseum.

10. TUNE IN

If you can't make it out to Bojangles' Coliseum tonight, you can still listen along! Tune in to hear Jason Shaya's call, with the pregame show kicking off at 6:45, and tweet at him to let him know you're listening!