Game Preview: Checkers vs. Grand Rapids (Jan. 12, 2016)

Amid the most successful stretch in their history, the Checkers finally return home to begin a six-game home stand against the Grand Rapids Griffins tonight.

Here are 10 things to know about the match-up between the AHL's two hottest teams:

1. Clash of the Titans

Games tonight and tomorrow pit the Checkers, who are 10-0-2 in their last 12 games, against the Grand Rapids Griffins, who are 19-3-0 in their last 22. The only AHL team to post a point streak longer than the Checkers' current run this season is the Griffins, who put together a 15-game streak that ended Dec. 26. Since the end of their streak, the Griffins are a relatively modest 4-3-0.

2. Griffins Injuries

Grand Rapids has run into the injury bug of late, with top forward Andreas Athanasiou, All-Star defenseman Xavier Ouellet, NHL veteran Daniel Clearly and goaltender Tom McCollum all missing all a handful of recent games.

The issues have led to the Griffins' signing of former Checkers forward A.J. Jenks, who had been playing with ECHL Toledo since last leaving the Checkers around this time last year, to a professional tryout contract. Jenks, who scored 23 points in 90 games with Charlotte over parts of four seasons from 2011-14, is with the club and poised to make his Griffins debut tonight. The Griffins will also get a boost from the parent Detroit Red Wings' assignment of defenseman Jakub Kindl on Monday.

3. Inside the Streak

Included in Charlotte's franchise-record point streak that has not seen it lose in regulation since Dec. 6, Charlotte has earned points in nine consecutive road games (8-0-1) and in four straight at home (3-0-1). The team's current four-game win streak ties their longest of the season set from Dec. 17-28, with the team not able to win five in a row since January of 2013.

4. Finding The Back Of The Net

The Checkers' offense has been potent all season, consistently finding itself ranked in the top 10 in the AHL, but it has really hit its stride during this hot streak. After totaling just two goals in their last two regulation losses in early December, the Checkers have scored three or more goals in 10 of their last 12 contests. All season they have been at their best when the offense is clicking, as 18 of the Checkers' 21 victories this season have come when the team scores three or more goals.

5. All In On Altshuller

After impressing during a pre-planned stint before Christmas, the Checkers have continued to go back to Daniel Altshuller, and the young netminder has continued to wow between the pipes. The second-year pro has yet to lose a game in regulation, going 7-0-1 with a goals-against average of 1.48 and a save percentage of .950. While his numbers are still drawing from a fairly small sample size, it's hard to argue that Altshuller has been phenomenal during this run. He has made several highlight reel saves to keep the Checkers' winning ways intact.

Altshuller's hot streak is the best start to an AHL career by a Checkers netminder since John Muse won each of his first five starts en route to a 10-3-2 rookie season where he put up a 1.81 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage.

6. Hensick's Return

After being sidelined for 11 games early in the season due to injury, offseason acquisition T.J. Hensick has caught fire and provided an extra jolt to the Checkers' offense. After going scoreless through his first three games back, the veteran has recorded a point in seven of the last eight games, totaling eight points (4g, 4a) along the way.

7. Shuggernaut

With the offensive burden having been spread out more this season as opposed to last, Justin Shugg is quietly turning in another impressive campaign. The forward currently sits third on the active roster in scoring with 19 points in 27 games, putting him on pace to surpass his career-high total from last season of 43 points.

8. Hagel Drops The Gloves

The Checkers' last two series came against the San Diego Gulls and the Ontario Reign, two of the biggest and most physical teams in the AHL, ranking first and third in the league in terms of penalty minutes per game, respectively. But Charlotte refused to be pushed around, as they matched the physicality of their opponents, spurred on by Kyle Hagel. Hagel has again established himself as one of the premier fighters in the league, currently tied for second in the AHL in major penalties, as well as becoming a force on Charlotte's fourth line.

9. Tolchinsky Finding His Groove

After navigating through some bumps in the road and buying into the team's systems, Sergey Tolchinsky has emerged as a legitimate offensive threat for the Checkers as of late. After recording just nine points in his first 29 games this season, the rookie has exploded for eight points in his last five games. He also sits one shy of matching Derek Ryan and Hensick for the Checkers' longest point streak this season (six games).

10. Odds and Ends

Of the Checkers' three injured players, forward Carter Sandlak practiced fully with the team on Monday while defenseman Danny Biega and goaltender Drew MacIntyre did not. Coach Mark Morris did not provide an update on their condition ... Ryan ranks sixth in the AHL in scoring (32) and is just four points off the league lead ... Trevor Carrick is tied for ninth among AHL defensemen in scoring (21) and tied for fifth in goals (7) ... Mike Cornell leads all AHL defensemen in shooting percentage (17.6%) and ranks fifth among league blueliners in major penalties (5) despite playing just 14 games.