Dallas Stars face the challenging Vancouver Canucks – NHL Preview
The Dallas Stars are leading the National Hockey League (NHL) Pacific Division, but a single defeat can take that position away and ruin their playoff chances.
Stars are well aware of the fact that victories, at this stage of the competition, are necessary to come and one can expect a challenging performance for them.
However, Stars’ next opponents are the Vancouver Canucks, who have an outstanding defensive line.
Along with that, Canucks are in thundering form recently and Stars will need to put up a miraculous performance to beat them.
The game will take place on Friday, March 30, 2012, at Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Here is a look at both teams.
Stars
They are ranked at third spot in the Western Conference with 89 points after 77 games. However, if Phoenix Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings or San Jose Sharks win their next game and Stars lose against Canucks, Dallas could get pushed out of the comfort zone.
In such a complex situation, victories are must for the Stars, who are on a four-game road trip.
The first game of the trip was played against the Calgary Flames, who won it. However, Stars managed to beat Edmonton Oilers in the next game.
Stars’ defenseman, Sheldon Souray, said after the last victory, which gave them the third spot in the conference:
"Every point is so valuable the way things sit right now. We have a tough road right to the end of the season, and hopefully we will be in the mix when the dust settles a week or so from now. It's cliche, but you can only take it one game at a time.”
Canucks
They are ranked at second spot in the Western Conference with 103 points after 77 games.
Canucks are presently on a four-game winning streak with the victories coming against Stars (2-1), Colorado Avalanche (3-2 in overtime), Los Angeles Kings (1-0) and Avalanche (1-0).
As the scores suggest, Canucks have been pretty well on defence, which has become their strength.
Canucks’ coach, Alain Vigneault, said after the last victory:
"Our goaltender was obviously the best player on the ice tonight.”
Predictions
Canucks have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Stars win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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