Game Preview: Checkers vs Laval (Dec. 16, 2017)

After a split series against the Phantoms, the Checkers are back in action on home ice to host Chris Terry and the Laval Rocket for the first time ever. Here are seven things to know ahead of tonight's puck drop.

1. SCOUTING THE ROCKET

Laval travels to Charlotte for the first time in franchise history stuck in a tough skid. The Rocket have just one regulation win in their last 10 contests, dropping them into a tie for fourth place in the North Division.

The Rocket’s offensive attack ranks in the middle of the road in terms of goals per game, but has had a rough go as of late. The team has recorded two or fewer goals in 10 of the last 11 contests, including totaling just four goals over the last three games. The other side has seen some struggles over that stretch as well, with Laval being outscored 37-21 over those 11 games. The Rocket, led by the trio of Charlie Lindgren, Zachary Fucale and Michael McNiven, have surrendered the third-most goals per game in the AHL so far this season.

That’s not to say Laval’s roster is void of dangerous scoring weapons. Chris Terry, a longtime Checker who ranks second in franchise history in scoring, has continued his scoring ways this season, entering this weekend with 23 points in 24 games. Sharing the team scoring lead with Terry is blue liner Matt Taormina, who was named the league’s Best Defenseman last year and is currently tied for second in the AHL with 21 helpers.

2. CARRICK LENDS A HELPING HAND

After a down-year points wise, Trevor Carrick has jumped back into the swing of things this year. The blue liner leads all team defensemen in scoring with 14 points through his first 24 games, matching his 57-game total from a season ago. Carrick, who ranks ninth among AHL defensemen in assists, has especially caught fire as of late. In fact, since Nov. 10, only Rochester’s Stuart Percy has notched as many helpers as Carrick, who marked 12 assists over 15 games.

3. MILLER TIME

After a brief lull, Andrew Miller has caught fire once again and now sits as the team scoring leader. The forward has notched 12 points in his last nine games to give him 26 through the first 27 games of the season, and is currently on a six-game point streak, the longest by a Checker this year.

After returning from an injury midway through last season Miller turned on the jets through the end of the year, and that push has carried over into this campaign. Since Feb. 3 of last season, Miller has recorded 63 points in 64 games, with only four players across the AHL beating him over that stretch.

4. POTTING GOALS

Last year’s team points leader has found his scoring touch as of late. Andrew Poturalski has shaken off a start that saw him record one point through his first eight games and has now notched 12 points in his last 15 games. Currently Poturalski is in the midst of a four-game goal streak, tied for the longest such active streak in the AHL.

5. POSITIVE PHILIP

Philip Samuelsson has become a cornerstone of the Charlotte blue line, serving as a veteran presence and handling a strong load of ice time. Samuelsson has been making the most of his increased responsibility on the scoresheet, logging a plus-19 rating that not only leads the team but is the second-best mark in the entire league.

Samuelsson has also continued his offensive surge since leaving the Montreal system last season. After logging five points in 40 games with St. John’s to start the 2016-17, Samuelsson rallied for 14 (3g, 11a) in 25 games with the Checkers post-trade. Through the first 25 games of this season, the 26-year-old has kept that rolling, ranking second among team defensemen with 10 points and leading the blue liners with three goals.

6. SMITH STANDS TALL

Jeremy Smith has been tapped for three starts over the last seven games and has been stellar in each outing. The veteran netminder is 2-0-1 over that stretch while registering a 1.30 goals-against average and a .960 save percentage. Smith, who has Charlotte’s four highest single-game save totals this season, now sits at 5-6-1 after a bumpy start, while his recent hot streak has pulled his overall goals-against average below three and propelled him to the team’s best save percentage.

7. GET THE APP

The Checkers app got a fresh new set of paint during the offseason but functions just the same. Follow along with scoring updates as well as play the Top Line interactive game.

You will also be able to listen to the radio broadcast via the app or this link. Jason Shaya’s pregame show starts 15 minutes prior to puck drop, tune in and tweet Jason to let him know you’re listening.