Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators looking to crack losing streak in Monday matchup -NHL Preview
After starting the new 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) in a strong way with a lot of momentum, Nashville Predators and Edmonton Oilers are hoping to bounce back after facing two straight losses when they meet up on Monday, October 17, 2011, at the
Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
For Edmonton, even they might be losing; they are at the moment blanked by how good their top pick of the 2011 Entry Draft in June is performing. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has certainly changed around how the team is viewed by performing beyond expectations making
him a permanent part of the Edmonton roster.
Picked as the first overall, Nugent-Hopkins potted all of his teams’ goals against a team like Vancouver Canucks who have Roberto Luongo in net, for his first career hat-trick and barely lost by one.
If the 18-year-old can continue with the same momentum along with his dedicated teammates, Edmonton just might emerge as a top ranking team later on in the season.
"Everyone knows he's a good passer", said former 2010 top pick, Taylor Hall, after their matchup against Vancouver Canucks. "But it was great to see him score tonight".
Nugent-Hopkins, along with Edmonton head coach, Tom Renney, are confident that their team will eventually be winners because of the good chemistry present amongst the players.
"It is part of the process and now we've got to grow", Coach Tom Renney said. "And we have to make sure we can battle back and win games like this".
Nashville Predators on the other hand is a little bit more experienced and older than Edmonton Oilers, giving them an extra edge over the amateurs, but doubting anyone on the opposing line-up would be a grave mistake and centre player, Colin Wilson, certainly
knows that.
"We're going to go out there and be even more motivated", Nashville centre, Colin Wilson, said. "We're going to be playing another young team here on Monday so I think it'll be a good battle".
The edge that Edmonton would have over Nashville is their ability to take shots quickly and often. Being a young and energetic team gives them that advantage of being fast and quick in their thinking, giving them those much needed goals.
Being fearless in front of a veteran goalie like Roberto Luongo in their matchup against Vancouver Canucks, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has shown that he is capable of doing anything, thus, going against Nashville’s Pekka Rinne should not be a factor of intimidation
for them.
So far, Edmonton might not have the best of records but their dedication to work as a team will eventually pay off and be better for the team in the long run. The main aspect of concentration for them would be to focus on winning and not the frustration
that comes out of losing.
The much anticipated matchup between the two teams is expected to begin at 9:30 p.m. ET, Monday night in Edmonton.
Tags: