Game Preview: Checkers at Texas (Nov. 20, 2015)

A shorthanded Checkers squad limped out of last weekend after being swept by the Admirals on home ice. Now they hit the road for a quick trip to the Lone Star state looking to snap this skid, beginning tonight with a matchup against the Texas Stars.

Here are some things to know heading into the matchup:

1. BANGED UP BLUE LINE

The last few weeks have not been kind to the Checkers' corp of defensemen. Injuries to Danny Biega, Keegan Lowe, Tyler Ganly and Rasmus Rissanen forced the team to play with just five defensemen over the last few games before Kyle Hagel stepped back and filled in as the sixth blue liner. Rookie Justin Agosta, recalled from Florida, and Mike Cornell, signed to a PTO, have stepped in and performed well in the absence of the others.

Charlotte was dealt another blow Wednesday when rookie Jaccob Slavin, who had been playing about 30 minutes a game over the past few, was called up to Carolina. The good news for the Checkers, however, is that they seem to be getting some of that help back. Danny Biega and Tyler Ganly have been full participants in practice all week, a good sign for their status this weekend. Keegan Lowe has also returned to the ice, though his yellow no-contact jersey would seem to indicate that he is a bit further out in terms of his return to game action.

2. 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 or less goals in five of their last eight games, including being shutout twice. They have gone 3-5-0-0 over that stretch, bringing their overall points percentage down to .500.

3. STILL SEARCHING

Despite ranking third in the AHL in shots on goal, Zach Boychuk has now gone 14 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. BACK-TO-BACK SETBACKS

Charlotte's consecutive losses to Milwaukee last weekend mark the team's second two-game losing streak of the season. The Checkers have not lost three in a row in regulation since Feb. 22-27 of last season.

5. SHUGG BOUNCES BACK

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 three points (1g, 2a) in four games since returning to action on Nov. 7. For the season, he has six points in seven games.

6. 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 10 points. Through 14 games this season, Ryan has yet to be held pointless in consecutive games.

7. MAC ATTACK

Drew MacIntyre has continued to shoulder a heavy workload this season, ranking fourth in the AHL in minutes played. He has also played in 12 of the Checkers' 14 games this season, though rookie Rasmus Tirronen has started two of the last three contests for Charlotte. MacIntyre now just needs one victory to tie Red Almas for eighth in AHL history with 218 victories.

8. BOMBS FROM THE BLUE LINE

Led by Trevor Carrick, whose four goals are tied for third among AHL defensemen and just two off the league lead, Charlotte defensemen have accounted for 11 of the team's 43 goals this season. Five different defensemen have scored goals for the Checkers this season, and blue liners account for three of the team's top six scorers.

9. 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 1-5 when allowing the first goal of the game and have lost four of the five games in which they trailed after 20 minutes.

10. 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. The Checkers will have theur work cut out for them with a Stars team that boasts the fourth-best attack in the AHL, though the Stars have allowed over three goals per game.

11. FADING POWER PLAYS

The Stars' power play has struggled as of late, netting three goals on 30 chances over their last five games and slotting in 21st overall in the AHL. The Checkers have been on a bit of a slide of their own, but still rank 10th in the AHL in power-play percentage. Charlotte has not scored a power-play goal in its last two games, one shy of the worst drought of the season so far. They may not get many opportunities, however, as Texas is the second-leasst penalized team in the league.