FOUR STORYLINES
COMING IN HOT
Despite splitting their most recent series in Bridgeport, the Checkers are 7-3-0-0 in their last 10 games - tying them for the best record over that stretch in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte currently sits fifth in the Atlantic standings (based on points percentage, which is how the standings are being sorted this season), trailing the Bruins by a narrow margin. The Wolf Pack, on the other hand, sit in third in the division but are 3-5-0-2 over their last 10 games, including a 2-3-0-0 mark over the last five - though their most recent contest was a victory over the league-leading Comets.BLUE LINE CHIPS IN
The Checkers have gotten a boost of offense from their blue line over this most recent stretch of games. They have scored 12 goals over the last five contests, and a defenseman has factored in to seven of those tallies. Fresh off stints with the Panthers, Matt Kiersted and Chase Priskie have led the charge from the back end, with the former recording six points in his last six games and the latter piling on eight in his last seven games.STINGY CHECKERS
Charlotte has had success as of late when it is able to clamp down defensively on its opponent. The Checkers are 7-3-0-0 in their last 10 games, with each win coming in a game where they allowed three or fewer goals (to take it a step further, five of those seven victories came when they allowed two or fewer goals). The Checkers currently rank seventh in the AHL in terms of goals-against per game and are 9-2-1-0 this season when surrendering two or fewer tallies. Tonight they’ll face a Hartford squad that is tied for 11th in goals per game and have 10 total goals over their last five contests.KILLING IT
The Checkers have gone perfect on the penalty kill for four consecutive games - killing off 11 straight power plays over that stretch - and killing off 17 of their last 18 times shorthanded across their last seven games.COMING IN
CLT: 3-2-0-0 in last five games this seasonHFD: 2-3-0-0 in last five games this season
WHO TO WATCH
CLT
Chase Priskie - 7 points in last 5 gamesLuke Henman - 4 points in last 6 games
Logan Hutsko – 8 points in last 8 games
HFD
Anthony Bitetto – 3 points in last 3 gamesMike O'Leary – 3 points in last 3 games
Anthony Greco – 12 points in last 11 games
TUNE IN
Tonight's contest starts at 7 p.m. in Hartford, and as always you can listen to the game for free via the Checkers app on iPhone or Android. You can also watch via the league’s AHLTV service.And new for this season, our friends over at Ed's Tavern on 2200 Park Road are going to be showing the game on their TVs!
