Game Preview: Checkers vs Toronto (Jan. 18, 2020)

The Checkers welcome the Toronto Marlies to town for a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. Here's everything you need to know before puck drop.

1. RISING UP

The Checkers enter the weekend as the hottest team in the AHL, posting a 9-1-0 record of the last 10 games. They have won 13 of their last 16 contests, a hot streak that has propelled them into the third-place spot in the Atlantic Division.

2. RACKING UP THE GOALS

The Checkers have caught fire offensively during this recent run, scoring at least four goals in eight of the last 10 contests and at least three in 15 of the last 16. The Checkers are 20-3-2 when scoring at least three goals and have climbed to the number 11 spot in the AHL’s offensive rankings.

3. SCOUTING THE MARLIES

Toronto has had a rough go of things as of late, posting a 3-7-0 record over the last 10 games and dropping to fourth in the North Division, with Laval just a single point behind. The road in particular hasn’t been kind to Toronto, as it has an 8-9-3 away record compared to a 13-6-0 record at home.

4. TORONTO'S TALLIES

Offense has been the Marlies’ biggest strength this season, coming in with the ninth-ranked attack in the league. They have been led in particular by the duo of Pontus Aberg and former AHL MVP Kenny Agostino, but the Marlies are getting a significant boost for the weekend with the conditioning assignment of Trevor Moore.

5. GUST GETS GOING

After starting off with only five points in his first 24 games, Dave Gust has exploded for 16 points over his last 15 contests. The forward has recorded multiple points in three of his last five games and is currently riding both a three-game point streak and a two-game goal streak. In fact, since Dec. 13 only seven players in the AHL have scored more points than Gust.

6. POWERING UP

With another strike in Wednesday’s win, the Checkers have recorded a power-play goal in each of their last five games. They have notched six goals on 16 man advantages over that stretch, a 37.5 percent success rate. That surge has helped establish the Checkers as the seventh-ranked power play in the AHL, and this weekend they’ll face a Toronto penalty kill that stands as the fourth-worst in the league.

7. JANNE'S HELPING HAND

Charlotte’s leading scorer Janne Kuokkanen has been a key distributor for his squad, especially as of late. The forward is coming off back-to-back three-assist games and now has nine helpers in his last five contests.

8. KASKI KEEPS SCORING

Charlotte’s most recent addition has been a huge boost to the lineup. After posting five points (2g, 3a) in 19 games with Grand Rapids, Kaski has blown up for nine points (5g, 4a) in 13 games since being dealt to the Checkers in exchange for Kyle Wood. Kaski hasn’t been shy about joining the rush, lighting the lamp three times in his last two games and notching five points over the last three.

9. TUNE IN

You can tune in to every broadcast this season with a subscription to the league’s streaming platform AHLTV.

As always, the radio broadcast will be available via the Checkers app or this link, so tune in and tweet Jason Shaya to let him know you’re listening!