Game Preview: Checkers vs. Lake Erie (Feb. 5, 2016)

After a brief hiatus for the AHL All-Star break, the Checkers are back in action against the Lake Erie Monsters as they look to shake off their winless streak and get back on track.

Here are 9 things to know about tonight's tilt against Lake Erie:

1. ON A SKID

The Checkers didn't leave for the All-Star break on a good note, dropping their last three games (though they earned one point in the standings for the Jan. 29 overtime loss in Iowa). This three-game winless streak ties the team's longest this season, with the only other instance coming from Nov. 13-20.

The good news for the Checkers is that they followed up their last three-game winless streak by winning four of their next five contests, shortly followed by them rattling off their franchise-record point streak.

2. SHORTHANDED MONSTERS

Lake Erie will be missing a few key pieces when they return to the coliseum ice tonight. Anton Forsberg and Joonas Korpisalo, who have handled the bulk of the work in goal this season, are both in Columbus, leaving veteran Brad Thiessen to man the pipes. The 29-year-old has started eight of the last 12 games for Lake Erie and has put up solid numbers, sporting a goals-against average below two and a .927 save percentage.

Up front, they will be missing the scoring prowess of Kerby Rychel, who had six points in seven games at the time of his recall, as he continues to log time with the Blue Jackets. On the back end, Jaime Sifers will miss both contests against the Checkers after earning a two-game suspension for slew-footing. Sifers has been a force for the Monsters, ranking second among team blue liners in scoring and record a point in each of his last two games.

3. BANGED UP

The Checkers could have some holes in their lineup as well when the puck drops tonight. Justin Shugg did not make the last road trip before the break after suffering an injury, while Zach Boychuk and Ethan Werek both missed the team's final game in Iowa due to injury and illness, respectively. On the back end, Keegan Lowe exited the last contest before the break after taking a puck to the head and did not return. Should he not be able to go this weekend, the Checkers would be thin on the blue line, as Danny Biega remains sidelined with an injury and Ryan Murphy skates with the Hurricanes.

4. THE STORY SO FAR

The Checkers and Monsters have faced off four times already this season, with Charlotte having the upper hand. After dropping the first meeting in late October, the Checkers have won three straight against the Monsters, two of which were decided in thrilling fashion. In a barn-burner on Halloween, the Checkers rallied to tie the game with 30 seconds left in regulation and earn the win in a shootout, while in their most recent matchup, the Checkers snagged an overtime win thanks to the deadly Derek Ryan and Brock McGinn combo.

5. POWER SURGE

While it struggled in the team's recent sweep at the hands of Iowa, the Checkers' power play remains one of the most lethal in the AHL. Ranked second in the league in terms of power-play goals per game, Charlotte has racked up 18 goals on the man advantage in their last 15 games.

So far this season the Checkers fared much better when they can score on the man advantage. Their record when scoring a power-play goal is 20-5-0-2 while their mark when failing to pot one is 5-9-2-0. They will have their work cut out for them going up against Lake Erie, however, as the Monsters boast the fifth-ranked penalty kill in the AHL.

6. RYAN LOOKING TO REIGNITE

Team captain and leading scorer Derek Ryan began the season on a ridiculous tear, not going consecutive games without scoring until the end of December. But the forward has hit a bit of a slump heading into the All-Star break. Ryan has one goal and one assist in his last nine games and has fallen out of the top-20 scorers in the AHL.

Still, Ryan remains one of the Checkers’ most lethal weapons offensively and will be looking to get back on track after representing the team at the 2016 AHL All-Star Classic tonight.

7. RISSANEN RAMPING UP PRODUCTION

It might be overshadowed by some of the flashiness on the blue line, but Rasmus Rissanen is quietly having a career year. With assists in each of his last two games, the fifth-year pro has already set a new career high in points (12) through just 33 games. He has also matched his career high in assists (10) and is one shy of his mark for goals.

8. WOODS FINDING TWINE

With five points in his last five games, Brendan Woods has seen his offensive attack sparked. His seven goals in 34 games puts him on pace to surpass his season high, set last year.

9. BREAKING THINGS DOWN

The Checkers have yet to lose in regulation in a game in which they held a lead at either intermission (12-0-2-1 when leading after the first, 15-0-1-1 when leading after the second).

Charlotte has also been impeccable when allowing two or fewer goals (17-0-0) and have come through in tight games (13-3-2-2 in one-goal games), while their offense has been a big catalyst to their success (22-4-2-1 when scoring three or more goals).