Dallas Stars host Vancouver Canucks at American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas – NHL Preview
With the chances of reaching the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs very bright for both teams, the Pacific Division leaders, Dallas Stars, are going to host the regressing Vancouver Canucks, who are leading the Northwest Division, on Thursday, March
22, 2012, at American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas.
Stars can be rated as favourites as they have maintained a brilliant winning run this month and the Canucks have slightly got strayed from their tack recently.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Stars
Stars have played nine games this month. They lost two games in a row after winning the first six. In their last game, Stars defeated Phoenix Coyotes to snap their two-game losing skid.
Stars and Coyotes scored apiece in the first period, but the former managed to score two goals in the second period without conceding any to take the lead.
However, Coyotes got two goals in the final period without giving away any to level the score, forcing the game to overtime.
After the goalless overtime, shootout was called. Stars scored the only goal of the shootout to win the game.
While praising his teammates who scored the goals, Stars’ centre, Mike Ribeiro, said:
"Those guys (Ryder and Eriksson) are elite players. They can score, they can pass, they can play well defensively, they can do everything right on the ice. It's easy to play with those guys. They've been scoring most of the goals for our team and once again
tonight. They can do things most players cannot do."
Stars are ranked third in the Western Conference with 85 points after 73 games.
Canucks
They are placed just above the Stars in the Western Conference with 95 points after 73 games.
Canucks’ recent run is not very commendable as they have lost six out of nine games played this month and are currently on a two-game losing streak. The defeats came against Minnesota Wild (2-0) and Chicago Blackhawks (2-1 in overtime).
Canucks scored a goal in the first period, but they gave away the lead when Blackhawks scored a goal in the second. The third period went goalless and Blackhawks scored in overtime to win the game.
Predictions
Since Stars have the home-field advantage, they will carry an upper hand.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Canucks win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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