Game Preview: Checkers at Milwaukee (March 18, 2016)

The Checkers continue their battle for the playoffs after seeing their winning streak come to an end earlier this week. They’ll look to get back on track as they head to Milwaukee for the third time this season.

Here are 9 things to know about the matchup:

1. ROADBLOCK

After rattling off four consecutive wins on home ice last week, the Checkers couldn’t stretch that streak to a season-best five, falling to Rockford 1-0 in the teams’ third meeting in four days.

The Checkers have been better overall on the road this season, recording a 16-11-3 record away from home, but have hit a rough patch as of late. Immediately following an 8-0-1 stretch, Charlotte has gone 2-6-2 in their last 10 road contests.

2. THREE IN THREES

The Checkers kick off their second and final three games in three days situation of the season tonight.

In the first instance, which occurred on Feb. 19-21, the Checkers went 1-1-1, splitting decisions with Grand Rapids before suffering a shootout loss to Chicago.

Overall, Charlotte is 49-33-11 in three-in-threes over their six seasons in the AHL and 35-25-9 when they come on the road. The Checkers are 17-10-4 all time in the first game of three-in-three situations.

3. AGAINST THE ADMIRALS

Tonight marks the fifth meeting between Charlotte and Milwaukee this season. After crushing the Admirals 7-2 in the third game of the season, the Checkers have dropped three consecutive games against their division rivals. The most recent matchup saw the Admirals blank the Checkers 3-0. Daniel Altshuller has not faced the Admirals this season, as Drew MacIntyre and Rasmus Tirronen appeared in the first four meetings. John Muse faced Milwaukee once with the Texas Stars, making a season-high 43 saves in a 4-3 shootout loss. Dating back to 2013-14, the Checkers are 1-4 in their last five visits to Milwaukee.

4. UP AND DOWN ADS

After rocketing to the top of the Central Division, the Admirals have been up and down over the last month. Milwaukee is 7-7-0 in their last 14 contests and has dropped to third in the division.

The good news for the Admirals is that they have been one of the best home teams in the AHL this season, with their 22 wins tied for the second-highest total in the league. Heading into tonight, they have won eight of their last 10 home games and have held their opponents to two or fewer goals in six of their last 10, including three shutouts.

5. PLAYOFF PICTURE

Thanks to San Jose’s overtime loss to Ontario on Wednesday, the Checkers hold the fourth playoff spot in the Pacific Division by a slim .548 to .544 advantage.

San Jose doesn’t play tonight, so if the Checkers earn either two points for a regulation win or one point for an overtime loss, they would hold onto that playoff spot. Should they lose, they would drop behind the idle Barracuda. Bakersfield, who currently sit as the fifth-place team in the Pacific, plays San Diego tonight in a game that could have implications on the Checkers’ situation. If Charlotte loses in regulation and the Condors win, Bakersfield would also hop over the Checkers in the playoff race.

6. WELCOME BACK TREVOR

The Checkers’ back end received quite a boost yesterday when the Hurricanes returned Trevor Carrick to Charlotte after he made his NHL debut earlier this week.

The second-year blue liner is the team’s top-scoring defenseman and ranks third on the team in scoring overall. Carrick also leads the Checkers in power-play points, something that the team has been starved for over the last few games.

7. POWER OUTAGE

Despite still being one of the AHL’s most dangerous, the Checkers’ power play has gone ice cold over the last seven games. Charlotte has only notched two man-advantage goals in 36 opportunities, which comes out to 5.6 percent. The Checkers’ overall percentage for the season sits at 20.4, dropping them down to a tie for third.

In the 11 games immediately prior to this drought, the Checkers went 13 for 51, a 25.5 percent clip, and recorded at least one power-play goal in 10 of those.

8. LOCKDOWN

While their offensive production continues to fluctuate, the Checkers’ defense has stepped it up a notch. Charlotte has held their opponents to two or fewer goals in six of their last eight contests, including allowing just one goal in three of their last four. The Checkers have thrived in those situations, going 22-3-0 this season when allowing two or fewer goals.

John Muse has played a big part in that, as his strong performance since being reacquired at the trade deadline earned him AHL Player of the Week honors. Daniel Altshuller turned in a magnificent 34-save effort in his most recent outing, though he ended up taking the loss.

9. QUICK HITS

Justin Shugg is one shy of passing Brett Sutter and taking sole possession of third place on the Checkers' all-time scoring list ... Muse has won each of his last four starts ... Rasmus Rissanen is one shy of 50 career pro/AHL points ... Jake Chelios is two shy of 50 pro points ... David Wohlberg is six shy of 150 pro/AHL penalty minutes ... Anthony Camara is three shy of 150 pro/AHL penalty minutes