Game Preview: Checkers vs Toronto (Jan. 19, 2019)

The Checkers wrap up their home stand with a visit from the defending Calder Cup champs. Here are 8 things to know before pucks drops tonight.

1. POTTING POINTS

With 22 points in his last 19 games, Andrew Poturalski continues to rocket up the AHL leaderboard. The forward, who leads the Checkers in goals, assists and points, is tied for third in the league in scoring with 42 points through the first 42 games of the season. One of three players to appear in every game for Charlotte thus far, Poturalski is just 10 shy of his career-high point total from 74 games in 2016-17.

On Friday Poturalski was named to the AHL All-Star Classic for the first time in his career, replacing teammate Janne Kuokkanen, who is unavailable for the event.

2. BOOTH'S BACK

With Alex Nedeljkovic currently in the NHL with Carolina, the Checkers have recalled Callum Booth from the ECHL. The 21-year-old netminder was assigned to the Reading Royals earlier this season and has taken on a heavy workload there, including appearing in 10 of the team’s last 11 games.

Booth has appeared in seven games for Charlotte this season and has 58 saves on 60 shots over his last three appearances, two starts and a one-period relief effort. He’ll team up with Scott Darling as the tandem between the pipes while Nedeljkovic remains in the NHL.

3. PLUS PERFORMER

A year after posting the second-best plus-minus rating in franchise history, Roland McKeown is once again thriving on the blue line. The third-year pro leads the team at plus-18, tied for third among all league defensemen and tied for fifth in the AHL overall.

McKeown, who ranks third among team blue liners in scoring, has finished a game with a minus rating just three times since Nov. 21.

4. STRONG STARTS

The Checkers have placed an emphasis on starting games off on the right foot, and that’s been on full display as of late. After failing to score a first-period goal in six straight games, the Checkers have lit the lamp in the opening period in seven of their last eight games. That includes a four-goal outburst in Wednesday’s win over Bridgeport, the most goals they’ve scored in a single period this season.

Over this eight-game stretch, the Checkers have outscored their opponents 15-6 in the first period.

5. POWER OUTAGES

The Checkers’ power play, which ranks 14th in the AHL, has had its ups and downs this season. Over the last eight games the Checkers have scored a power-play goal in every other contest, recording four tallies over their last 34 man advantages.

They’ll have a chance to get back on a consistent track this weekend against a Toronto team that boasts the 29th ranked penalty kill in the AHL.

6. LAST TIME

The Checkers and Marlies have squared off twice this season, both in Toronto in late December/early January.

The first meeting saw the Checkers fall into a 4-1 hole in the opening frame before battling back to force overtime and snag a point in the standings. Toronto would get the last laugh, however, with Chris Mueller notching the winner two minutes into the extra frame.

The rematch a week later was all Charlotte, with the Checkers flipping the script to jump out to a 3-0 lead through one period en route to a 5-0 shutout victory behind a strong performance from Alex Nedeljkovic.

7. SCOUTING THE MARLIES

Toronto comes into its first visit to Charlotte sitting in the number four spot in the North Division. The Marlies, who are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games, have won two of their last three contests since last facing the Checkers.

The Marlies have fared much better on the road than at home this season, posting a 10-5-3 record compared to a 9-10-2 mark. They have won eight of their last 10 road contests coming into the weekend and have scored at least five goals in seven of their last 10.

The veteran-laden Marlies have been led offensively by the seasoned duo of Chris Mueller and Sam Gagner, while younger prospects like Jeremy Bracco and Trevor Moore have chipped in as well. Between the pipes the Marlies have been a revolving door but are running with the duo of the newly-acquired Michael Hutchinson and Finnish-born Kasmir Kasikiuo, who has been the most consistent piece in the crease with five appearances in the last 10 games.

8. TUNE IN

You can tune in to tonight's broadcast with a subscription to the league’s new streaming platform AHLTV. Sign up here and catch the action on the road.

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!