Calgary Flames travel to Anaheim Ducks - NHL Preview
The Calgary Flames will travel to Anaheim’s Honda Center to face the Ducks on Friday, March 2nd, 2012 as they look to keep their playoff dreams alive.
The Flames ended a four game skid against Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday and will look to build some momentum against the Ducks.
Luckily for Calgary their four game skid did not ruin their chances of reaching a playoff spot too much as they remain at 11th in the Western Conference with 69 points just two behind eighth placed Dallas Stars.
The Ducks though are not a team to be taken lightly.
Even though Anaheim remains in the bottom three of the Western Conference at 13th with 64-points they have recently started playing much better and a string of victories in February, kept them just within sight of eighth spot.
However, Anaheim recent results have not gone been good enough with two big losses against Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres but they will be comfortable to take on the Flames at home ice.
Flames (29-24-11, 69 pts)
If not for a string of disastrous results in their final four games of the previous month, the Flames could have by now found themselves comfortable in eighth spot.
Calgary losing run started with a humiliating 6-1 defeat at the hands of Edmonton Oilers at home ice and after that result they lost all of their next three games.
However, Calgary bounced back with a big 4-2 away win over Phoenix Coyotes and the team showed that they have what it takes to fight for a playoff spot.
Forward Jarome Iginla knew the importance of the win and how desperately the Flames needed it. He praised his teammates after the game saying.
"We were definitely desperate. We know what's at stake and played a complete game. The guys competed hard and in the third period; when it counted, we applied good pressure."
Ducks (27-27-10, 64 pts)
Anaheim’s surge near the end of February came to an end in the month’s final two games.
The Ducks lost twice as their offence was held at bay by both Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres. Anaheim lost 4-1 and 2-0 respectively and will be looking to bounce back against the Flames on Friday.
The two points at stake were never so important for the Ducks as their small playoff hopes hinge on each and every point available.
Right Wing Corey Perry told Anaheim’s official website that the next two games will be crucial for the Ducks to see where they will end up.
"It's against two opponents that we're chasing. You win both and it's four points. You never know where that can put you at the end of the day. They are probably the two biggest games of the year right now."
Predictions
Tough game to predict but Anaheim has a recent advantage over Calgary at home and will be favourites to win.
Sum of goals will be less than six.
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