Game Preview: Checkers at Iowa (Jan. 28, 2016)

The Checkers continue their quick road swing leading up to the All-Star break with their final series against the Wild this season. Charlotte will be looking to get back on track after dropping a tough 3-1 loss to Rockford on Wednesday.

Here are 9 things to know about tonight's tilt in Iowa:

1. BUMP IN THE ROAD

Last night's 3-1 defeat in Rockford snapped the Checkers' franchise record nine-game road point streak. It marked their first regulation loss away from home since Nov. 20 in Texas and was a rare miscue for the team on the road, as the Checkers have racked up the second-most road wins in the AHL (14).

2. TOUGH CROWD

The Central continues to be the most tightly-contested division in the AHL. The Checkers had a chance to overtake Rockford for first place in the division with a win yesterday, but the loss instead dropped them to third. But even at third in the Central Division, the Checkers are the fourth-best team in the Western Conference, with the Central commanding four of the top five spots in the standings.

3. TAMING THE WILD

The Checkers have enjoyed much success against Iowa over the years. Heading into this weekend, Charlotte holds a 13-4-1-0 record against the Wild, including a 5-0-1-0 mark this season.

The Wild currently find themselves in the AHL's cellar, but seem to be on a bit of an uptick. Since Christmas, Iowa is 6-5-1-0, including wins over Rockford and Milwaukee, the two teams ahead of the Checkers in the division.

The Wild's woes have been worst at home, however. Their four home wins this season are the lowest in the AHL and they are 2-12-2-1 in Iowa since Nov. 1.

4. POWER SURGE

The Checkers' power play continues to be one of the most lethal in the AHL, ranking second in the league at 23.3%. The teams' best power-play percentage in a season came in 2013-14 when they finished second in the AHL with 22.6%.

While they were able to strike early in Wednesday night's game, giving them a power-play goal in 11 of their last 13 games, the unit fell uncharacteristically quiet for the remainder of the game, despite being handed five more chances at the man advantage.

5. PHIL-ING IT UP

Back with the Checkers as the NHL shifts to its All-Star break, Phil Di Giuseppe picked up right where he left off Wednesday night, lighting the lamp with a rocket one-timer on the power play. In 23 games with Charlotte this season, the second-year pro has pumped in 17 points (8g, 9a), including four power-play goals which tie him for second on the team.

6. KILLING IT

The other side of the Checkers' special teams has started to ramp up as the season progresses. Charlotte is currently ranked 10th in the AHL in penalty-killing percentage and it has kept the opposing team's power play off the score sheet in four of its last five contests (though the one blemish was a two-goal outburst by Chicago on Jan. 23).

7. BOYCHUK LIGHTING THE LAMP

Zach Boychuk suffered through a tough start to his season, enduring the longest goal drought of his career, but has caught fire as of late. Of his nine goals this season, a total that is good for third on the team, six have come in the month of January.

Boychuk has been especially effective on the power play. Of his six goals this month, five have come on the man advantage.

8. HENSICK HEATING UP

An established scorer at this level, T.J. Hensick has started to find his offensive touch for the Checkers as of late. The veteran forward has points in each of his last three games and five points in his last six games. Hensick has been especially deadly on the power play, with his 10 helpers tying him for the team lead.

9. BREAKING THINGS DOWN

The Checkers have yet to lose in regulation in a game in which they held a lead at either intermission (12-0-1-1 when leading after the first, 15-0-1-1 when leading after the second).

Charlotte has also been impeccable when allowing two or fewer goals (17-0-0) and have come through in tight games (12-3-1-2 in one-goal games), while their offense has been a big catalyst to their success (21-4-1-1 when scoring three or more goals).