OKC Barons to face Charlotte Checkers on Friday

*Radio: KXXY-FM 96.1

*Season series: Charlotte leads 4-2-0.

*Scouting report: Charlotte, the Carolina Hurricanes' farm team, is one of the few squads to have consistent success against Oklahoma City this season. Though these teams are not division rivals, they are battling for the No. 1 playoff seed in the American Hockey League's Western Conference. The Barons, with a 34-14-5 record, have a conference-best 73 standings points. Charlotte, with a 30-19-5 record, has 65 standings points. Between OKC and Charlotte is Toronto, with a 30-18-6 record and 66 standings points. The No. 1 seed at the end of the regular season will have home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. ... With Yann Danis still with the Edmonton Oilers, David LeNeveu is expected to get a second consecutive start Friday night. LeNeveu is 13-6-2 with a 2.00 goals against average. ... Charlotte could have starting goaltender Mike Murphy back in time for the game. Murphy has been called up by Carolina twice in three days. If the Hurricanes' top goaltender, Cam Ward, can return from an injury, then Murphy will be sent back to Charlotte. Otherwise, rookie John Muse will start against the Barons.

*Up next: The Barons continue a six-game road trip at 6 p.m. Saturday, again at Charlotte.