Dejected Columbus Blue Jackets travel to play against the lowly Edmonton Oilers – NHL Preview
Columbus Blue Jackets are already eliminated from the playoff contention of National Hockey League (NHL) 2011-12 season, but they have 13 more games to play in the regular season and can certainly damage chances of other teams.
Their first target will be the Edmonton Oilers, who are also not expected to qualify for the postseason, but are not officially eliminated from the playoff contention yet.
Oilers and Blue Jackets will face off on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Here is a look at both teams.
Blue Jackets
Since they are already out, heroics will now only help them ending the season on a positive note.
Early on in the month, they played well to win four straight games, but lost the next two games, both against St. Louis Blues.
Blue Jackets have 51 points after 69 games and are placed at the bottom of the Western Conference.
Throughout the season, Blue Jackets struggled equally on defence as well on offence. Besides, inconsistent performance continued to hamper their progress and they eventually paid the price after getting eliminated.
They could only hope for consolation during the next games.
Oilers
Oilers have played six games this month and have only won one. At present, they are on a three-game losing streak with the defeats coming against Montreal Canadiens (5-3), Colorado Avalanche (3-2 after shootout) and San Jose Sharks (3-2).
In the last game, Oilers gave a tough time to Sharks, but still fell behind. Both teams went neck and neck and scored apiece in the first two periods respectively. However, Sharks got another goal in the final period, while Oilers could not get any scoring
move.
Oilers are ranked at 14th spot in the Western Conference with 59 points after 69 games.
Predictions
Since Blue Jackets are out, the morale of the players is certainly low and they are dejected. They had earlier hoped for ending the season on a positive note, but this dream might not come true as they have to play some games against strongest teams in the
days to come.
Oilers might utilise that advantage and beat Blue Jackets.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Blue Jackets win, the winning margin will be two or more goals.
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