KEYS TO VICTORY
KEEP THE OFFENSE ROLLING
The Checkers are coming off one of their most productive series after hanging five goals in back-to-back meetings with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. They have now scored at least four goals in six of their last 10 games and gone 5-0-1-0 in those contests, and Charlotte is currently 27-7-1-0 when scoring at least three goals this season - something the team has done in 35 of 53 games thus far.That hot streak will now go up against a Texas squad that is tied for the fourth worst goals-per-game average in the AHL. In their previous two meetings this season, the Checkers were able to total 13 goals against the Stars - who have surrendered 20 goals over their last five games.
POWER UP
Saturday’s win over Lehigh Valley saw the Checkers convert twice on the man advantage - marking the seventh time they have recorded multiple power-play goals in a single game this season. Charlotte has now notched a power-play goal in two straight games and in five of its last seven.The last time the Checkers and Stars met, Charlotte had one of it’s most productive special teams outings by logging three goals on four power-play opportunities. Although Texas’ penalty kill ranks in the bottom third of the league, the Checkers will be going up against a surging PK unit as the Stars have not surrendered a power-play goal in four consecutive games - killing off each of their last 11 times shorthanded.
STAY HOT
The Checkers have received strong offensive output from across their lineup as of late, but a trio of skaters all enter tonight’s contest having averaged at least a point-per-game over the last four tilts - Owen Tippett, Alexander True and Cale Fleury.Over those last four games the Checkers have scored a total of 16 goals, and at least one of Tippett, True or Fleury has factored into 12 of them.
QUICK HITS
BOUNCE BACK
After falling into a season-worst four-game winless streak, the Checkers righted the ship with a perfect week, defeating Hershey once and Lehigh Valley twice by a combined 13-4 score over the three contests. They are now on a three-game winning streak, the fifth time that season Charlotte has strung together a streak at least that long.STILL TIPPETT
Owen Tippett continues to be an immensely valuable add to the Charlotte roster. The forward posted four points over last week’s three contests, including a two-point effort in Saturday’s win over Lehigh Valley. Tippett has now notched 10 points in eight games with Charlotte this season and has found the scoresheet in all but one of those contests.TRUE'S HELPING HAND
With two helpers in Saturday’s win, Alexander True earned his second multi-assist effort in the last four games. The forward has picked up at least one assist in each of Charlotte’s last four tilts - totaling six helpers over that stretch - and has 14 points in his last 19 games since returning from his NHL stint with Seattle in late January.BATTLE FOR THE ATLANTIC
A successful week, paired with a key win over Hershey, has Charlotte sitting in fourth place in the Atlantic Division standings - .029 points percentage points ahead of the Bears and .035 behind the third-place Wolf Pack. The Checkers are in for a battle down the stretch, as 12 of their 19 remaining games come against the three teams currently ahead of them in the Atlantic standings - Hartford, Springfield and division-leading Providence - plus two more against the Bears.For this season, the top six teams in the Atlantic Division will make the playoffs, with the top two seeds earning a bye to the second round.
COMING IN
CLT: 3-2-0-0 in last five games this seasonTEX: 1-3-0-1 in last five games this season
WHO TO WATCH
CLT
Owen Tippett - 10 points in last 8 gamesAlexander True - 9 points in last 8 games
Kole Lind – 11 points in last 9 games
TEX
Anthony Louis – 8 points in last 9 gamesJoel L'Esperance – 10 points in last 10 games
Jerad Rosburg – 7 points in last 8 games
TUNE IN
Tonight's contest starts at 8 p.m. in Texas, 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!
