Game Preview: Checkers at Ontario (Jan. 2, 2016)

The Checkers continue their inaugural California road trip as they head off to face the powerhouse Ontario Reign while looking to keep their franchise record point streak intact.

Here are 9 things to know about the game:

1. REDEMPTION AGAINST THE REIGN

Tonight's contest kicks off the final part of the Checkers and Reign's four-game home and home series. The Reign came to Charlotte for the first two games and manhandled the Checkers, outscoring them 8-2 en route to a sweep.

Of the 11 teams that the Checkers have faced this season, the Reign are one of just two that Charlotte has not recorded a win against, with Chicago being the other.

2. REIGN REELING?

Though they entered today in first place in the Western Conference, the Reign have dropped two of their last three contests and three of their last five.

While most of their success this season has come from their stingy defense, which ranks first in the league in goals against per game, the Reign's offensive struggles have hurt them as of late. Since pumping in five goals against the Checkers on Dec. 6, Ontario has failed to score more than two goals in six of seven games.

3. GOING STREAKING

While Wednesday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the San Jose Barracuda put an end to the Checkers' winning streak, it extended their point streak to eight games, setting a new franchise record. It is also the longest active point streak in the AHL.

4. PLAYOFF PICTURE

The Checkers' recent run, which dates back to their last regulation loss against Ontario on Dec. 6, has pulled them into fifth in the Central Division with a winning percentage of .600. Though the AHL's new playoff format sets brackets for the top four teams in each division, the Checkers would still qualify if the season ended today on the crossover rule as they own a better winning percentage than the fourth-place team in the Pacific Division (San Antonio). Continuing the current playoff hypothetical, the Checkers' first playoff opponent would be Ontario, who they play this Saturday and Sunday.

With the exception of first-place Ontario, Central Division teams currently occupy five of the top six spots in the Western Conference.

4. RED HOT DECEMBER

The Checkers wrapped up the month of December with a 6-2-1-1 record, which is tied for the seventh-best month in the team's five-year AHL history in terms of point percentage (.700). It also marked the best point percentage since March of 2014.

This also marks the first time since 2012-13 that the Checkers have recorded a .500 or better record in each of the first three months of the season.

5. ALL IN ON ALTSHULLER

Goaltender Daniel Altshuller has started each of the Checkers' last five games - the first five AHL games of his career – and has come away with a stellar 4-0-1 record to go along with 1.76 goals-against average and .938 save percentage. It marks the second-best five-game start to an AHL career by a Checkers since John Muse went 5-0-0 in 2011-12.

6. BACK FROM THE SPENGLER CUP

Netminder Drew MacIntyre and defenseman Trevor Carrick recently wrapped up their stints at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland, helping Team Canada run the table and capture the tournament championship. Carrick, the youngest player on the team by four years, scored one goal in five games on the Canada blue line, while MacIntyre stopped 22 of 23 shots and earned the win in his lone appearance in net.

With the tournament concluded, the players are now free to rejoin the Checkers, though their immeadiate future is uncertain. It is unclear whether Carrick will jump back into the lineup this weekend in Ontario with such a quick turnaround from his European trip, while MacIntyre was sidelined at the tournament due to an undisclosed injury. Any timeline for his return to action will have to be decided upon his return to the club.

7. RYAN LOOKING TO GET BACK ON TRACK

Derek Ryan has been a portrait of consistency for the Checkers this season, leading the team in goals and points. But he has run into a slight bump in production, as he has been held off the score sheet in consecutive games for the first time all season. Currently tied for fifth in the AHL in scoring, Ryan will be looking to get back to his high-rate of scoring in this weekend's series against the Reign.

8. HENSICK HEATING UP

It may have taken few games, but T.J. Hensick is back to his point-producing self. One of the Checkers' biggest offseason acquisitions, Hensick missed 11 games due to injury early on this season. He was scoreless in his first three contests after returning to game action, but has since scored in four straight, racking up five points over the stretch.

9. THE IMPORTANCE OF HOT STARTS

Getting off to strong starts has been a key component of the Checkers' success this season. They have not lost a game in regulation in which they held a lead at either intermission (9-0-1 when leading after one period, 10-0-1 when leading after two)