Columbus Blue Jackets hopeful to rattle Colorado Avalanche – NHL Preview
Columbus Blue Jackets might not be a very strong contender to reach the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs, but it can certainly hurt Colorado Avalanche’s chances.
Both these teams are going to face off on Friday, February 24, 2012, at Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio.
The encouraging factor for both of them is the fact that they are entering this game after winning their last games respectively against very competitive teams.
Let’s have a look at both these teams.
Avalanche
Avalanche have been inconsistent in the season and it could become one of the most prominent reasons if they fail to qualify for the playoffs.
They have played nine games in this month and have won four of them.
In their last game, they defeated Los Angeles Kings in an impressive manner.
Colorado scored three goals in the first period and one in the second while containing Kings, who managed their only goal in the final period.
The final score settled at 4-1.
Paul Stastny scored twice for Avalanche. He said after the game:
"From start to finish, we played our game and we didn't sit back. With big points at stake, sometimes you sit back and play a little defensive, which we didn't."
Avalanche are ranked at 11th spot in the Western Conference with 64 points after 61 games. They have got Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars ranked above them with the same number of points.
Blue Jackets
Blue Jackets are placed at the bottom of the Western Conference with 43 points after 60 games.
Their run in this month, however, is relatively better as compared to their performance in the last two months before this one.
Blue Jackets have played 10 games in February and have won five of them.
Along with this 50 per cent victory record, their morale is boosted after defeating the third-ranked team in the conference, San Jose Sharks, in the last game.
Blue Jackets scored four goals in the first period without allowing any to take a handsome lead against Sharks.
Sharks tried to retaliate but could not score more goals.
The final score settled at 6-3.
Jeff Carter scored a hat trick for Columbus.
Blue Jackets’ winger, R.J. Umberger, said after the game:
"I think that's kind of what we envisioned at the start of the season. It just didn't work out that way. Confidence has a lot to do with a lot of stuff."
Predictions
Blue Jackets might win the game.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams might exceed six.
If Avalanche win, the winning margin will be more than two goals.
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