Game Preview: Checkers at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Dec. 8, 2017)

After a strong home stand, the Checkers are taking their four-game point streak on the road to visit the Atlantic Division-leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Here are 10 things to know heading into the tilt.

1. ROUND TWO

Friday marks the second meeting between the Penguins and Checkers this season. The first matchup, which was Charlotte’s second game of the season, saw the visiting Checkers fall behind 2-1 late in the second before coming alive for four unanswered tallies to topple the Pens 5-2. Charlotte’s special teams took center stage, with Phil Di Giuseppe notching a power play goal and Warren Foegele netting two shorthanded strikes. Both of the Penguins’ goals also came via special teams – one on the power play and one special teams.

2. SCOUTING THE PENGUINS

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton remain at the top of the Atlantic Division, but have hit a rough patch as of late. The Penguins are currently stuck in a three-game winless streak and are 1-4-1 over their last six games, with the lone win coming in overtime.

Standout rookie Daniel Sprong has led the way for the Penguins this season with 10 goals and 16 points in 20 games this season, while Dominik Simon’s recent six-game point streak has pushed him up to a share of the team scoring lead and Kevin Czuczman has pitched in from the blue line with 13 helpers.

3. CHANGES IN THE PENS' CREASE

The Penguins entered this season with what shaped up to be one of the toughest goaltending duos in the league with Casey DeSmith and Tristan Jarry. The former came into the league as a rookie last year and led everyone in goals-against average while registering a staggering 21-5-3 record, while the latter slotted in fourth in the AHL in goal-against average and ranked third in wins.

Unfortunately for the Penguins, injury issues in Pittsburgh have forced the NHL Pens to recall both of those netminders, leaving the AHL Pens scrambling to fill the crease.

The team has leaned on PTO Anthony Peters, who was on an AHL contract with Charlotte for each of the last two seasons but logged just one game in a Checkers sweater during that time. The 26-year-old has struggled, however, going 0-2-1 in three appearances and registering a goals-against average over five. The other half of the Penguins’ new tandem is Sean Maguire, a 24-year-old who has spent almost all of his first two pro seasons in the ECHL with Wheeling. Maguire made his season debut for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in their most recent game, relieving Peters and making his third career AHL appearance.

Peters and Maguire have logged 14 career AHL between the two of them.

4. FOEGELE LIGHTS IT UP

With his three goals last Friday night against Springfield, Warren Foegele notched the ninth hat trick in franchise history. He is the sixth different player to reach that mark and the only Checkers rookie to do so.

One of Foegele’s tallies that night came on the penalty kill, giving him four shorthanded goals this season. That total sets a new single-season franchise record, breaking Zac Dalpe’s mark from the 2012-13 campaign, while Foegele’s five shorthanded points are tied for the most in team history with Chad LaRose’s 2014-15 effort.

Foegele’s big night boost him to the team lead in goals with 12, a total that also moves him into a tie for third in the league overall. The franchise record for goals by a rookie is 24, set last season by Lucas Wallmark.

5. MORE FINNS MORE WINS

Looking to help Janne Kuokkanen’s transition into the AHL by paring him with a fellow Finn, the Checkers seem to have unlocked an offensive boost with Kuokkanen and Aleksi Saarela.

The rookie’s scoring has relatively slowed as of late, but his impact remains as Kuokkanen sits at nearly a point per game with five power-play helpers, the second-highest total on the team. Meanwhile, Saarela has shaken out of a post-injury slump that saw him nab just two points in nine games and has now racked up six points (5g, 1a) in the last seven games. That hot streak has propelled Saarela into third on the team in goals, while his three power-play goals are tied for the second most on the team.

6. WINNING NED

The Checkers seem to have found their man between the pipes, as Alex Nedeljkovic picked up his 11th win of the season last Sunday afternoon. That win total puts the goalie in a tie for the league lead and eclipses his total of eight wins from all of last season.

Charlotte’s stingy defense, which ranks 12th in goals against per game and ninth in shots allowed per game, has had a hand in Nedeljkovic’s hot start as the young netminder has not had to make 30 saves in any of his wins this season.

7. GOING STREAKING

The Checker have earned points in each of their last four games (3-0-1), which ties their longest point streak of the season, matching a four-game run of wins from Nov. 3-10. Since dropping four straight games in regulation immediately following that win streak, the Checkers have gone 4-1-1 since Nov. 21.

8. ZYKOV POWERS UP

After a three-game absence due to illness, Valentin Zykov is back in the lineup, which is a strong boost to the Checkers’ man advantage. The Russian forward leads the team with six power-play goals this season, a total that ranks third in the AHL.

The franchise single-season record for power-play goals in 18, set by Zach Boychuk in the 2013-14 campaign.

9. FINISHING STRONG

The Checkers have shown strong rescilency this season, especially when it comes to the ends of games. They have won seven games when trailing at either intermission, tied for the most in the AHL, and have scored 63 goals in second and third periods combined, the highest such total in the league.

10. 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 in order to win exclusive prizes.

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.