Boston Bruins could end New York Islanders’ run in the season – NHL Preview
The New York Islanders are trying their best to stay alive in the competition, which is getting tougher for them every day.
Although Islanders are not yet eliminated from the playoff contention, their chances of playing in the postseason are very unlikely as they are far below the comfort zone in the Eastern Conference.
However, Islanders are keeping their fighting spirits alive as long as they have slightest of hopes.
On the other hand, the defending Stanley Cup champions, Boston Bruins, have already qualified for the playoffs, but their performance this season has remained below average especially during the last couple of months in which their progress was hampered
by inconsistent performances.
Bruins and Islanders are going to face each other on Saturday, March 31, 2012, at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York.
Let’s take a look at both teams.
Islanders
They are ranked at 13th spot in the Eastern Conference with 77 points after 77 games and are nine points behind the eighth-ranked Washington Capitals.
Islanders have five more games left in the regular season and if Bruins defeat them, the season will be over for Islanders.
At present, they are on a three-game winning streak with the victories coming against Florida Panthers (3-2 after shootout), Pittsburgh Penguins (5-3) and another against Penguins (5-3).
Islanders are well aware of the fact that their chances of playing in the postseason are near to zero; however, they are trying to end the regular season on a positive note, if nothing else.
Bruins
They are ranked at second spot in the Eastern Conference with 94 points after 77 games.
They have been inconsistent for most part of the season and have failed to record a noticeable winning run during the last few months.
However, Bruins have won five of their last seven games, but got their three-game winning streak snapped by Washington Capitals in the last game.
Capitals could not score any goal in the first two periods of the game, but they also defended well and did not allow Bruins to score either.
In the final period, Capitals got two goals to stun Bruins for a moment, but the latter surged back to level the score, forcing the game to overtime, which also went goalless and shootout was called.
In the shootout, Capitals scored three goals while Bruins could only get two scoring moves.
Predictions
Islanders have a slight edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Bruins win, the winning margin will be two or more goals.
Tags: