Game Preview: Checkers at Binghamton (Dec. 27, 2017)

After a brief holiday break, the Checkers are back in action as they travel to Binghamton for a rematch with the Devils.

1. HAPPY HOLIDAYS

The Checkers are looking historically strong heading into the holiday break. Their 20 wins before Christmas are the most in franchise history, while the team’s .660 points percentage is the best mark at this point. In fact, this is only the second time since 2013-14 that Charlotte has entered the holiday break with a record above .500.

The Checkers are one of just three teams in the AHL to head into the break with at least 20 wins, though they remain stuck in second place in the frustratingly tight Atlantic Division.

2. Z ON TOP

With the opening (and eventual game-winning) goal against Hershey last week, Valentin Zykov jumped into sole possession of the AHL’s scoring lead heading into the holiday break. The Russian forward has been on a tear as of late, notching eight goals so far just in the month of December and coming into Wednesday’s matchup against Binghamton with a seven-game point streak, the second longest by a Checker this season.

Zykov has enjoyed a lot of success on the man advantage, where he has registered a league-leading 11 tallies. That total is already the fourth-most in a single season in franchise history, with Zach Boychuk’s 18 in 2013-14 currently holding the record.

A second-round pick by Los Angeles that was dealt to Carolina in exchange for Kris Versteeg, Zykov has already eclipsed his previous high in goals, set lasts season across 66 games with Charlotte.

3. CARRICK LENDS A HELPING HAND

this season. The blue liner ranks second among all AHL defensemen in assists with 18 and is tied for eighth in scoring, already surpassing his 57-game total from last season.

Like Zykov, Carrick has been a key piece in Charlotte’s lethal power play, tying for the league lead in helpers on the man advantage.

4. MILLER TIME

A picture of consistency over the last month, Andrew Miller continues to reign as Charlotte’s leading scorer. Since going through a four-game scoreless slump in November, the forward has notched 15 points over the last 13 games and has not been held off the scoresheet in consecutive games. That scorching stretch has put Miller in a tie for 10th in the AHL overall in scoring.

Miller has kept his hot end to last season rolling into the new campaign, as only three players across the AHL have recorded more points since Feb. 3 of last season than his 66 points in 68 games.

5. SCOUTING THE DEVILS

Binghamton has had a tough go during the month of December, losing eight of their 10 contests thus far this month. The team’s offense, which registers as the third-worst in the AHL in terms of goals per game, has been a weak link over that stretch, scoring two or fewer goals in seven of those 10 contests and seeing the Devils get outscored 37-23.

The Devils’ biggest offensive contributor has been blue liner Jacob MacDonald, whose 24 points ranks second among AHL defensemen this season, while veteran scorer Bracken Kearns has pitched in 20 points and second-year pro Nick Lappin leads the way with 13 goals. Binghamton has also seen some offensive help lately from veteran Tim Kennedy, who has eight helpers in his last 10 games, Kevin Rooney, who has six points in his last five games, and recently acquired Michael Latta, who has recorded a point in each of his first three games with Binghamton.

Between the pipes has been the duo of Ken Appleby and Mackenzie Blackwood, though both have seen their fair share of struggles and sport goals-against averages north of three. Appleby, in his third season as a pro, has notched at least 30 saves in three of his last four appearances and earned at least one point in the standings in three of those, while Blackwood has allowed at least four goals in six of his last seven outings.

6. LAST TIME OUT

The Checkers and Devils have met one other time this season, a matchup in Binghamton earlier this month. Charlotte’s offense flexed its muscles early and often against the home squad, scoring six goals inside the first five minutes of each period to run away with a 7-1 victory. The Checkers’ stifled the Devils’ attack, leaving Alex Nedeljkovic to make 20 saves and pick up the win, while Binghamton starter Mackenzie Blackwood was yanked early in the second after surrendering five goals on 18 shots. Ken Appleby would allow two more on the 16 shots that he was faced with.

7. ON THE ROAD AGAIN

After escaping from an ugly four-game skid away from home during November, the Checkers have only played on the road twice during December, but they’ve thrived in those contests. Charlotte has won both games, against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Binghamton, by a combined score of 9-2.

At 10-5-0-0, the Checkers are one of six teams in the AHL with at least 10 wins on the road this season.

8. 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.