Here are nine things to know about tonight’s contest:
1. ON THE BRINK
The Checkers head into tonight’s contest with the chance to advance to the second round for the second time in franchise history and the first since the team’s inaugural 2010-11 campaign. Charlotte is 2-2 all time in Game 4s and 2-3 in playoff games where it could advance.2. KING LUCAS
After logging a record-breaking regular season, Lucas Wallmark has kept things rolling in the playoffs. The first-year-pro, who set the franchise record for goals by a rookie, has lit the lamp twice in three games and added a trio of helpers, with his five points tied with the Penguins’ David Warsofsky for the AHL postseason lead.Despite being sidelined for the final four games of the season due to injury, Wallmark has regained his offensive touch, and now has nine points in his last five games dating back to the regular season.
3. MILLER'S TIME
Wallmark isn’t the only one elevating his play in the postseason. Andrew Miller has similarly been a force through the first three games of the series against Chicago, picking up a goal in each of the first three contests to tie for the AHL playoff lead. That scoring touch has already put the forward in the Checkers record book, as he has now tied the mark for most goals in a single playoff series, as well as the longest goal streak.Miller has rattled off a supremely impressive run since returning from injury on Jan. 27, racking up 36 points (12g, 24a) in 37 games, a total only bested by two others in the league.
4. FOURTH LINE DELIVERS
Head coach Ulf Samuelsson made some tweaks to his lineup going into Sunday’s Game 3, most notably a new fourth line comprised of Patrick Brown centering Connor Brickley and Andrej Nestrasil. The move to group those three together proved to be a smart one, as the line played a part in three of the Checkers’ four goals in the game, including the overtime game winner.5. MR. CLUTCH
Connor Brickley established himself as a clutch performer during the regular season, leading the team with six game-winning goals, including a run that saw him net four over a five-game stretch. That ability has followed Brickley into the postseason, as the forward potted the overtime game-winner in Game 3, lifting a rebound out front over the shoulder of Wolves netminder Ville Husso halfway through the first extra period.Brickley’s goal, which was the latest overtime winner in franchise playoff history, moved the Checkers to 4-1 all time in playoff overtime games.
6. MCCOLLUM STEPS UP
Continuing his dominant roll from the regular season, Tom McCollum has been a force in the playoffs for Charlotte. The veteran netminder ranks second in the league with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage, trailing only Hershey’s Pheonix Copley, who has played one fewer game, in both categories.McCollum, who entered this playoff run with 23 postseason games under his belt with the Grand Rapids Griffins, also picked up his first playoff shutout in Game 1, making him one of four goalies in the AHL to log one this postseason.
7. ROAD WARRIORS
Though they had the worst points percentage of any AHL playoff team during the regular season (.408), the Checkers started to turn things around during the final stretch of the season and have carried that hot streak into the playoffs. Charlotte earned a point in 10 of their final 11 road games during the regular season, then took Game 3 in Chicago on Sunday.The team’s last regulation loss away from home came on April 2 against the Wolves.
8. PLUS PERFORMERS
Jake Chelios and Valentin Zykov have been two of the Checkers’ most consistent forces in the offensive end, with their respective plus-five ratings tying them with San Jose’s Ryan Carpenter for the AHL playoff lead. Add to that Miller and Wallmark’s plus-four mark and Charlotte is responsible for four of the top six plus/minus ratings so far this postseason.9. WATCH PARTY
The Burger Company at 1500 W. Morehead St. will be hosting the official Watch Party for Game 4, with the puck dropping at 8 p.m. Along with appearances from Chubby and the CheckMates and a chance to win a signed Trevor Carrick stick, fans can enjoy half-price wings and $2 domestic beer bottles.If you can’t make it to the Watch Party, you can either order the game on AHL Live or listen for free on the Checkers app.
