Carolina Hurricanes hoping for consolation as it takes on Montreal Canadiens – NHL Preview
What’s the worst fate any team in the National Hockey League (NHL) could face?
It could be a defeat, many defeats, halted winning run, extending losing streak, losing a game when the victory had almost been sealed or a placement at the bottom of the division and conference ranking.
For Carolina Hurricanes, the answer to the question is ‘all of the above’.
If there is any room left for further additions in the list, it could be a matchup against the surging Montreal Canadiens on Monday, February 13, 2012, at Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Carolina has played 56 games and is ranked at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 51 points.
Defeat is not an alien concept for the Hurricanes, who are on a two-game losing streak. Both the games were on road and were decided in overtime.
The first team to beat Carolina recently was Anaheim Ducks and then it was Colorado Avalanche’s turn.
Against Avalanche, Carolina gave away a lead gained at the end of the first period. The score was levelled, 3-3, after the second period and the final period went goalless.
In the overtime, Colorado emerged victorious.
Despite the failures, Carolina’s captain, Eric Staal, thinks that the team’s performance is satisfactory and that the players are trying hard to get victory.
He commented after the loss against Colorado:
"We're definitely on the right track. We're in every game. We're playing hard. If we keep doing what we're doing, I think we'll get rewarded."
That’s exactly the spirit Carolina’s players should hold when they face Montreal, which is also a low ranked team, but has been doing pretty well of late.
Montreal has 55 points after 56 games and is ranked at 11th spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Canadiens are on a four-game winning streak with their defence performing remarkably well.
In its recent run, Montreal defeated Winnipeg Jets (3-0), Pittsburgh Penguins (3-2 after shootout), New York Islanders (4-2) and Toronto Maple Leafs (5-0).
Montreal’s defenseman, P.K. Subban, said of the recent victories:
"We're just playing like a team. I think that we're all on the same page, we're supporting each other through thick and thin. We have to continue to do that if we're going to be successful as a team.”
He added:
"The moment that we start pointing fingers at each other or getting away from the game plan it's not going to work."
Montreal has a strong chance of winning against the Hurricanes, who would have to work really well on their offence and defence to get victorious.
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