Game Preview: Checkers at San Antonio (Nov. 22, 2015)

The Checkers currently find themselves in their worst slide of the season, dropping each of their last three games to fall below .500. They will have a shot at breaking out of that slump today when they visit the new-look Rampage.

Here are some things to know heading into the matchup:

1. EVAPORATED OFFENSE

After roaring out of the gate with 27 goals in their first six games, the Checkers' offense has gone cold. They have been held to two goals or less in six of their last nine games, including being shutout twice. They have gone 3-6-0-0 over that stretch, bringing their overall points percentage below .500 for the first time this season.

2. SLUMPING

Their current three-game losing skid is the Checkers' longest losing streak of the season thus far and the first time they've lost three in a row in regulation since Feb. 22-27 of last season. The last time the Checkers dropped four straight in regulation was Jan. 30- Feb. 7 of last season.

3. STILL SEARCHING

Despite ranking fourth in the AHL in shots on goal, Zach Boychuk has now gone 15 games without a goal, which marks the longest drought of his seven professional seasons. In his previous five seasons with Charlotte, his longest drought to start a seaosn was five games in 2010-11. I nevery other season, he scored his first goal in either his first or second.

Boychuk, who won the Willie Marshall award as the AHL's top goal scorer with 36 in 2012-13, finished last season on a seven-game drought. His last goal was on March 22 at Iowa.

4. SHUGGERNAUT

For the second consecutive year, Justin Shugg was sidelined early on due to injury. But that hasn't slowed down last year's scoring leader, who has four points (2g, 2a) in five games since returning to action on Nov. 7. On the season, he has seven points in eight games.

5. RYAN ON A ROLL

Captain Derek Ryan has been the Checkers' most consistent offensive force so far this season. The 28-year-old center leads the team with seven goals and is second with 11 points. Through 15 games this season, Ryan has yet to be held pointless in consecutive games.

6. BOMBS FROM THE BLUE LINE

The Checkers have gotten a solid amount of production from their blue line this season, with defensemen accounting for 12 of the team's 46 goals this season. Leading the way have been Trevor Carrick, whose 5 goals tie him for second among league defensemen, and Jake Chelios, whose nine points are tied for 17th among AHL blue liners, and the two rank third and fourth on the team in scoring, respectively.

7. HOT STARTS

Of the Checkers' seven wins this season, six have come when they scored the first goal. Similarly, they have won every game in which they have held a lead at either intermission. On the flip side, the Checkers are 1-6 when allowing the first goal of the game and have lost five of the six games in which they trailed after 20 minutes.

8. OFFENSE AND DEFENSE

The Checkers have lived and died by their high-powered offense and stingy defense. Six of their seven wins came when they scored three or more goals and they are 5-0 when holding their opponent to two or fewer. They have fallen off as of late, however, allowing at least three goals in each of their last three games and only totaling six of their own.

9. POWER SURGE

The Checkers most shining area this season has been their power play, which has consistently been ranked in the top 10 in the AHL. They have tallied multiple power-play goals in a game four times this season, including a two-goal performance Friday against the Stars. Jake Chelios leads the team with six power-play points, while Phil Di Giuseppe, Derek Ryan and Trevor Carrick all have a team-best three goals on the man advantage.