Game Preview: Checkers at Manitoba (March 26, 2016)

Fully entrenched in the playoff race, the Checkers wrap up their long road trip with one final visit to Manitoba.

Here are 9 things to know about the upcoming back-to-back set against the Moose:

1. PLAYOFF PICTURE

With Wednesday's win over Chicago, the Checkers jumped the idle Barracuda and took hold of the fourth Pacific playoff spot. Both Charlotte and San Jose, as well as Bakersfield, are in action tonight.

2. AGAINST MANITOBA

The Checkers have enjoyed success against their division rival Moose this season. After Manitoba spoiled Charlotte’s home opener, the Checkers rolled to three consecutive wins before splitting the last two-game series in late February. But despite the Moose’s position in the standings, they haven’t been a cakewalk for the Checkers, as three of their four wins over Manitoba this season were decided by one goal.

The captain Derek Ryan has led the way against the Moose, registering five goals in six contests against them, while Austen Brassard has piled up seven points in six games versus Charlotte.

3. MOOSE TRENDING UP

Despite being one of two teams already eliminated from the playoff race, the Moose have seen an uptick as of late, entering tonight on a two-game win streak and having taken three of their last four.

Manitoba’s stifling defense has been their biggest weapon during this stretch, as they allowed just two total goals in those three wins (sandwiched in between those wins was a 5-0 loss to Lake Erie). Netminder Connor Hellebuyck, who is tied for fifth in the AHL in save percentage, has been lights out, recording two shutouts in his last three appearances.

4. HOLES IN THE LINEUP

The Checkers could be sporting a patchwork lineup when they take the ice tonight, as injuries and recalls have decimated their roster. Brody Sutter and Patrick Brown are currently with the Hurricanes, while Anthony Camara, Dane Fox, Brock McGinn, Justin Shugg, Ethan Werek and Valentin Zykov all missed Charlotte’s last contest in Chicago and Andrew Miller and Rasmus Rissanen left that game and did not return.

The hole on the blue line was filled yesterday with the signing of Zach Miskovic to a PTO, giving the Checkers seven healthy options at defense. Up front, the Checkers will likely have to bring on some extra bodies as they currently have only eight forwards who finished the last game.

There is a glimmer of hope that some of those injured players could return for the weekend however, most notably Brock McGinn, who is on the trip after being sidelined for the last seven games.

5. OFFENSE SHOWS LIFE

After scoring two or fewer goals in four consecutive games, the Checkers’ offense came alive Wednesday against the Wolves, racking up seven goals in a blowout win. Six different Checkers lit the lamp, including a pair for Sergey Tolchinsky, and they will look to keep that momentum rolling against a Moose team that has allowed four or more goals in five of their last nine contests.

6. POWER PLAY SPARKED

Much like their offense, the Checkers’ once mighty power play was on a slide, falling outside the league’s top five after a two-for-44 stretch over 10 games. But Charlotte shook the cobwebs off Wednesday in Chicago and put home two goals on the man advantage, marking the 15th time this season that the Checkers have scored multiple power-play goals in a game.

7. THE CAPTAIN GETS IT DONE

Already the team’s main offensive catalyst, Derek Ryan has turned in one of his best stretches of the season over the last few games. The captain has accumulated seven points (3g, 4a) in his last three games. Of the Checkers’ last 10 goals scored, Ryan has contributed to seven of them.

8. TOLCHINSKY FINDING HIS TOUCH

While navigating the ups and downs of the pro game, Sergey Tolchinsky has quietly put together a strong offense campaign this season. With two goals on Wednesday, the first multi-goal effort of his pro career, Tolchinsky is now the seventh rookie in franchise history to record 30 points. The Russian has three points in his last two games, five in his last seven games and nine in his last 15 games.

9. MUSE STANDS TALL

Since being reacquired by the team at the AHL trade deadline, John Muse has taken the bulk of the work between the pipes for Charlotte, starting nine of their last 10 games. Including his 25-save effort on Wednesday, Muse has earned a point in the standings in eight of his last nine appearances.

With a day in between the Checkers’ two meetings with Manitoba and given head coach Mark Morris’ commitment to keeping the hot hand in net, Muse could see more action this weekend. But the unique schedule could also see Morris go back to Altshuller, who has made just two starts during the month of March, both losses. The rookie’s last start saw him turn in a solid 34-save performance but ultimately fall short in a 1-0 loss to Rockford.