Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils eyeing guaranteed playoff berth – NHL Preview
As the National Hockey League’s (NHL) playoffs come closer, many teams are earning a guaranteed place in the postseason with still some games left for them in the regular season.
This fate, however, is not enjoyed either by Chicago Blackhawks or New Jersey Devils, but they are nevertheless expected to play in the postseason.
With six games left for each game in the regular season, both are willing to ensure as many victories as possible so as to ensure safe entry into the playoffs.
Blackhawks and Devils are going to play against each other on Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Blackhawks
They are ranked sixth in the Western Conference with 92 points after 76 games and have performed brilliantly this month.
Out of the 11 games they have played this month, Blackhawks have won eight.
In their last game, they were defeated by Nashville Predators. Before that, Blackhawks won five straight games.
Against Predators, Blackhawks were defeated rather disappointingly as they were unable to put up a fight.
Predators got two goals in the first period and added another in the second. They scored three more goals in the final period in which Blackhawks got their only scoring move of the game.
Blackhawks’ goaltender, Corey Crawford, said after the game:
"That wasn't our team. That wasn't me. Just got to forget about it plain and simple. .... It seemed like everything wasn't going our way."
Devils
They are ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference with 90 points after 76 games.
Out of their last five games, Devils have only won one and are presently on a two-game losing streak with the defeats coming against Toronto Maple Leafs (4-3 after shootout) and Pittsburgh Penguins (5-2).
Against Penguins, Devils were behind right from the start. They scored one goal in the first period while giving away two.
Penguins added another goal in the second period and got two more in the final in which Devils got their second goal of the game.
Devils’ goaltender, Martin Brodeur, said:
"You want to get into the playoffs as soon as possible and you want to get in feeling good about yourself and not just dogging it in.”
Predictions
Blackhawks have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might be six or more.
If Devils win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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