Detroit Red Wings host Chicago Blackhawks in the final game of regular season – NHL Preview
As both Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings have already qualified for the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs this season, they only target for them is to end the season on a positive note by winning the last game of the regular season.
However, only one team can do that as Blackhawks and Red Wings are going to face off on Saturday, April 07, 2012, at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan.
Both teams were defeated in their respective last game and it is essential for them to give their best shot so as to carry winning momentum into the postseason. Let’s take a look at both teams.
Blackhawks
They are ranked at sixth spot in the Western Conference with 99 points after 81 games.
Blackhawks have played two games this month and lost both of them. Both defeats came against Minnesota Wild.
In the first game, which was played at Blackhawks’ home ice, Wild won after shootout, 5-4. The next game was played on Wild’s home ice and the result was the same. However, the score was different.
Blackhawks scored the first goal of the game in the first period and successfully maintained the lead for most part of the game, but Wild scored in the final to level the score. The game was sent to overtime, which went goalless and shootout was called.
Wild scored the only goal of the shootout and won.
Blackhawks’ coach, Joel Quenneville, said after the game:
"We didn't have any pace. I thought we got away from the intensity of being on the power play and looking for an easier look as opposed to the intensity that's needed to just sustain the momentum of our game.
Red Wings
They are ranked at fifth spot in the Western Conference with 101 points after 81 games.
In their last game, Red Wings got their two-game winning streak snapped after facing a defeat against New Jersey Devils.
Red Wings got their only goal of the game in second period of the game while Devils scored a goal each in first and third period to win the game.
Red Wings’ coach, Mike Babcock, said after the game:
"I knew it was going to be grinder right from the get go. We were stretched last night to overtime and I thought we really pushed our big players hard last night. I didn't think we had a ton of energy."
Predictions
Red Wings have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Blackhawks win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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