Game Preview: Checkers at Chicago (March 22, 2016)

The Checkers' road swing rolls on as they take on the Chicago Wolves in a mid-week tilt.

Here are 10 things to know about the match-up:

1. PLAYOFF PICTURE

Bakersfield's 5-2 loss to Ontario pushed them further behind Charlotte in the playoff race, while a win tonight would spring the Checkers over the idle Barracuda into the fourth playoff spot in the Pacific Division.

2. AGAINST CHICAGO

Tonight marks the eighth and final meeting this season between the Checkers and Wolves. After dropping the first two matchups, Charlotte has earned a point in each of the last five contests, including a two-game sweep two weeks ago.

Trevor Carrick has been extremely effective against the Wolves this season, racking up 11 points (3g, 8a) in seven games. Meanwhile on the other side, Danny Kristo, Pat Cannone and Jordan Schamltz all averaging at least a point per game against the Checkers, with Kristo leading the way with 12 points (4g, 8a) in seven contests.

3. AND OUT COME THE WOLVES

Following a pair of losses in Charlotte two weeks ago, the Wolves have gone 3-2-0 in their last five games. They remain below .500 and on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs, but those three recent wins have come against formidable opponents.

Immediately after the loss in Charlotte, the Wolves topped the Milwaukee Admirals, who have been battling for first place in the Central Division, by a score of 4-2. Then this weekend, they swept a home-and-home series with the Rockford IceHogs, who sit near the top of the division standings.

4. LOCKDOWN

The bright spot for the Checkers last week was that they continued to stifle opposing offenses (for the most part, as the Admirals were able to hang six goals on them in Saturday’s rematch). They have held their opponents to one goal in regulation in three of their last four games, and have kept them to two or fewer in seven of their last 11 contests.

5. MUSE'S RETURN

John Muse has played a big part in that defensive push, allowing two or fewer goals in seven of his nine appearances since rejoining the team at the trade deadline. Although he saw his winning streak come to an end at five, Muse has earned the Checkers a point in the standings in six of his last seven starts between the pipes.

6. VANISHING OFFENSE

After scoring at least three goals in each of their four consecutive wins two weeks ago, it looked as if the Checkers had regained their offensive groove. But this week saw them fall back into their old ways. Charlotte recorded two or fewer goals in each of its last four games, including scoring one or fewer in regulation in three of those. In fact, the Checkers have scored two or fewer goals in 10 of their last 14 contests, with the four outliers being that winning streak.

7. THE CAPTAIN DELIVERS

While the team as a whole has seen a drop in offensive production, Derek Ryan has caught fire and is back to his scoring ways. The captain, who returned to the team after a quick NHL appearance last night, has accounted for all three of the Checkers’ goals over the last two games, meaning no other Checkers player has scored since the 14:50 mark of last Friday’s win over Milwaukee, which comes out to a 135-minute, 10-second stretch, including overtimes.

8. POWER OUTAGE

The Checkers’ power play, which has spent the majority of the season in the top two in the league, has dropped down to sixth thanks to a two-for-42 drought over the last nine games. Charlotte, who immediately prior to this cold spell had 13 power-play goals in eleven games, has now gone scoreless in its last 17 man advantages.

9. WATCH PARTY

Join us and catch tonight’s action at the official watch party at the Matthews location of Queen City Q at 8p.m.! Enjoy ½ off whiskey and bottle of wine, appearances by members of the CheckMates and a free Justin Shugg-signed pint glass for the first 30 fans.

10. QUICK HITS

Derek Ryan has goals and points in each of his last two games ... Kyle Hagel has recorded 21 total penalty minutes in his last two games