Aggressive New Jersey Devils take on the fortunate Florida Panthers – NHL Playoff Preview
The Florida Panthers are certainly lucky to have qualified for the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs this season after ending their 12-year drought, but when it comes to the postseason, luck hardly matters as other teams also earn their fair share of
the good fortune to enter the playoffs.
In order to make the most of this opportunity, Panthers have got to find their rhythm as they prepare to play their first playoff game against the New Jersey Devils, who have performed remarkably well in the regular season.
The Devils are performing brilliantly on offence as well as defence and can certainly pose a threat to their opponents.
The first game of the playoff series between these two teams will take place on Friday, April 13, 2012, at BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida.
Here is a look at both teams.
Panthers
Panthers topped the Southeast Division and were ranked at third spot in the Eastern Conference, earning a home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
However, Panthers lost their rhythm towards the end of the regular season and lost eight of their last 10 games. In their last game, however, they managed to beat the Carolina Hurricanes to snap their five-game losing streak.
Panthers’ right wing, Kris Versteeg, thinks that his team is going to prove its critics wrong by beating Devils. He said:
"I'm excited. We get to play against a team with a lot of great players on it, and we get a chance to prove everyone wrong."
Devils
Unlike Panthers, Devils ended their regular season on a bright note and won their last six games with the victories coming against Chicago Blackhawks (2-1 after shootout), Tampa Bay Lightning (6-4), Carolina Hurricanes (5-0), New York Islanders (3-1), Detroit
Red Wings (2-1) and Ottawa Senators (4-2)
Devils’ goalie, Martin Brodeur, who could prove to be the main difference between the two sides, is excited about playing in the postseason and is hopeful of clearing this stage as well.
He said:
"I am looking forward to the feeling of being in the playoffs. I think everybody is in this locker room. You play hockey to get in the playoffs and the chance to win the Stanley Cup, so when that is taken away from you, you are more eager to get back."
Predictions
Devils and Panthers played four games against each other with each winning two games. In this game, however, Devils will carry an edge.
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