Detroit Red Wings host Colorado Avalanche while eyeing top spot of Western Conference – NHL Preview
Vancouver Canucks defeated Detroit Red Wings, who had won 23 straight games on their home ice and registered a National Hockey League (NHL) record, but the Red Wings do not have any other point to prove, especially not on the home ice.
As the Red Wings prepare to host Colorado Avalanche, the former is eying the top position in the Western Conference, which is currently held by Canucks.
A victory over Avalanche on Saturday, February 25, 2012, at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan could once again give Red Wings the top spot in the conference.
Here is a look at both the teams.
Red Wings
Red Wings are ranked second in the conference with 85 points after playing 62 games.
They have won seven out of 11 games this month and are currently on a two-game losing streak, which came after a six-game winning run.
The last two defeats came against Chicago Blackhawks (2-1) and Canucks (4-3 after shootout).
The Red Wings had almost defeated the Canucks to get 24th straight win on the home ice, but goaltender, Jimmy Howard, just could not stop the last shot of the shootout.
Red Wings have been struggling slightly on the offence of late, but coach, Mike Babcock, is not bothered.
Instead, he backed his players and encouraged them to play well so as to get back to winning ways.
Babcock said:
"We've been able to win some games without maximum energy. That doesn't mean your guys don't work. What I'm saying is we don't seem to have the kind of energy or the emotion in us right now.”
He added:
“We need to skate in practice and get ourselves going and get energised … so we can get back on another roll.''
Avalanche
Presently on a two-game winning streak, Avalanche are ranked at 11th spot in the Western Conference with 66 points after 62 games and are two points short of the eighth ranked Dallas Stars.
Their last victory came against Columbus Blue Jackets.
Colorado had one goal in the first and second period respectively and the team managed to score three in the final period to seal the victory as goaltender, Semyon Varlamov, earned a shutout.
A victory could bring Avalanche in the safe zone from where they can qualify for the playoffs, but they are not the only ones battling to reach there.
"It's a tough situation with four teams fighting for the last spots in the playoffs," said Varlamov. “Every game is huge for us. Every point is huge."
Predictions
Red Wings will have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams might exceed six.
If Avalanche win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
Tags: