Game Preview: Checkers at Grand Rapids (April 14, 2017)

All playoff possibilities remain in play as the Checkers get set for their second-to-last regular season game in Grand Rapids tonight.

Here are detailed scenarios and other things to know about what could potentially be a do-or-die matchup.

1. PLAYOFF PICTURE

Cleveland’s comeback victory over Manitoba last night has kept the playoff race wide open heading into tonight’s action, as Charlotte could either clinch a spot, be eliminated or prolong the drama into Sunday’s finale in Chicago.

The most basic way to think about the Checkers’ playoff chances is that they will make the playoff no matter what as long as they win tonight and tomorrow. To merely stay alive tonight, they must get at least as many points as Cleveland does in its game, a 7 p.m. start vs. Manitoba that will be played simultaneously to the Checkers’ own contest.

A full breakdown of every possible result and what it would mean for Charlotte’s playoff standing is below:

2. BATTLE DOWN THE STRETCH

The two combatants for the Central Division’s final playoff spot, Charlotte and Cleveland, show no signs of slowing down as they take their battle down to wire.

Entering tonight’s game, Charlotte is 26-9-4 since checking is as the last-placed team in the division on Jan. 10. The team is also 13-2-2 since March 9, including an active five-game point streak (4-0-1). Meanwhile, Cleveland has kept the pace by going 12-1-1 since March 18, with their only regulation loss during that stretch coming against the Checkers on March 30. The Monsters have an active seven-game point streak (6-0-1), including wins in each of their last four.

3. AGAINST THE GRIFFINS

Charlotte enters tonight’s matchup with a 4-2-0 record against the Griffins, having captured at least one point in all three meetings during its 2017 resurgence (2-0-1), all three of which have taken place in Grand Rapids. Not including the goal awarded for Wednesday’s shootout loss, the Checkers have allowed just one goal in each of those three meetings, with former Griffins great Tom McCollum (42 saves on 43 shots in one start) and Daniel Altshuller (63 saves on 65 shots in two starts) both posting stellar outings whenever called upon.

Though the Griffins have long since locked up a playoff spot, they are still fighting with Chicago for the Central Division title – something that would make them the Checkers’ first-round playoff opponent should the Checkers qualify. The Griffins can’t clinch the division tonight, but they could allow Chicago to clinch with anything less than a win in tonight’s game.

4. ON THE ROAD

The Checkers’ 12-19-5 record on the road may stand out as a reason for why the team finds itself in a playoff battle, especially when compared to its stellar 27-10-1 mark within the friendly confines of Bojangles’ Coliseum. However, the bulk of Charlotte’s struggles on the road took place earlier in the season, with the team earning at least one point in eight of its last nine contests away from home since Feb. 18 (5-1-3). This marks the sixth consecutive season that the Checkers will finish their regular season on the road.

5. MCCOLLUM SAVES THE DAY

Goalie Tom McCollum continued his consistently stellar play as a Charlotte Checker, making 42 saves to help the team earn a point on Wednesday despite being out-shot 43-24 through regulation and overtime. McCollum, who spent each of the last seven seasons with Grand Rapids and is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played, minutes and saves, is now 12-2-2 with a 1.91 goals-against average and .932 save percentage in the AHL this season. He has started 15 of a possible 16 games since joining the Checkers on loan from Stockton on March 8, having missed one game due to personal reasons on March 31.

6. FRESHMAN PHENOMS

Rookie centers Andrew Poturalski and Lucas Wallmark lead the Checkers in points with 51 and 46, respectively, making Charlotte one of just three AHL teams to have rookies as their top two scorers (Albany, Manitoba). Only Zac Dalpe (2010-11) has posted more points (57) and assists (34) than Poturalski has this season, while Wallmark has already clinched the franchise’s rookie record with 24 goals.

Since returning from his first career NHL stint with Carolina last week, Poturalski (third among AHL rookies in scoring) has three points (2g, 1) in three games, including the team’s only goal on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Wallmark (t-2nd rookie goals) has missed the last two games due to injury.

7. CHELIOS CHIPS IN

Checkers defenseman Jake Chelios has quietly put together a five-game assist/point streak (0g, 6a) that marks the longest of his career. It is also the longest assist streak by a Checkers player this season. Since Jan. 10, Chelios leads all Checkers skaters with a plus-23 rating and ranks fourth on the team with 21 points during that time (39 games).

8. MILLER’S TIME

Checkers forward Andrew Miller has 31 points (9g, 22a) in his last 32 games since returning from injury on Jan. 27, a number that leads the Checkers and ranks sixth among all AHL skaters during that time. Despite missing 21 total games this season, Miller ranks third on the team with 40 points, marking the third consecutive season he has hit that milestone, and is second with 29 assists. Miller’s plus-13 rating on the season is tied with Lucas Wallmark for second on the team.