Anaheim Ducks hoping to keep playoff chances alive as they face Edmonton Oilers – NHL Preview
Edmonton Oilers are very far away from the playoff contention, but Anaheim Ducks still have a slight chance and they would want to utilise every bit of it.
Ducks are going to host Oilers in a National Hockey League (NHL) game on Monday, March 5, 2012, at Honda Center, Anaheim, California.
The regressing Oilers might provide Jets the much needed boost so as to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Let’s have a look at both these teams.
Oilers
Oilers have lost three out of their last four games and are presently on a two-game losing streak with the recent defeats coming against St. Louis Blues (5-2) and Dallas Stars (3-1).
Against Stars, Oilers failed to gain possession of the puck and was miserable offensively.
After the goalless first period, Stars got two goals in the second and added another in the final. The only scoring move from the Oilers came in the last minute of the game.
The disappointed Oilers’ coach, Tom Renney, said after the game:
"One thing we have to do is quit (complaining) about it on the ice. You don't endear yourself to anybody. If you show professionalism, maybe you will get the call. After a while, I don't care who the referees are, they are going to say, `Forget it.' We have
to consider that."
Oilers are ranked at 14th spot in the Western Conference with 56 points after 64 games.
Ducks
Ducks still have very faded hopes of reaching the playoffs, but they are not playing well of late.
They also have lost three of their last four games with the recent defeat coming against Los Angeles Kings.
Ducks and Kings were tied, 1-1, after the first period, but Kings scored twice in the second while Ducks could only get one goal.
Kings increased the lead in the final period as the final score settled at 4-2.
Ducks’ captain, Ryan Getzlaf, said after the game:
"The odds haven't been in our favour since Christmas. But there's no doubt in here that we can still make this thing happen. Our group has never stopped believing this whole time, and we're not going to now.”
Ducks are placed at 12th spot in the Western Conference with 66 points after 66 games.
Predictions
Ducks have a slight edge.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams might stay under six.
If Oilers win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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