Edmonton Oilers eye third straight win as Dallas Stars visit – NHL Preview
After stunning Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets, the already eliminated Edmonton Oilers are now targeting the Dallas Stars, who still have a good chance of reaching the playoffs this National Hockey League (NHL) season.
The Stars, despite being ranked in the comfort zone of the Western Conference, are not performing well of late and could end up without qualifying for the playoffs.
Both teams are going to face each other on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Oilers
They are already out of the playoff contention and are ranked at 14th spot in the Western Conference with 71 points after 76 games.
They have won three out of their last four games and are presently on a two-game winning streak with the victories coming against Florida Panthers (2-1 after shootout) and Columbus Blue Jackets (6-3).
In the game against Columbus, Oilers were one goal down after the end of the first period, but they scored five goals in the second period while giving away one to get the lead. Both teams scored one goal each in the final period as Oilers won the game.
Oilers’ coach, Tom Renney, said after the game:
"We've certainly had our trials and tribulations this year to say the least. We have hockey yet to play. Our hope and our objective is to make sure that we finish the whole season this way. It's a good trip for us. We've got to go home now and take care
of some business there and then head back out again. It's an indication at least of what we're capable of when we've got things on our side."
Stars
They are ranked at seventh spot in the Western Conference with 87 points after 76 games.
By the looks of the things, they could qualify for the playoffs, but the competition is ever increasing and complacency can seriously hurt them.
Stars have won two of their last four games. Their recent defeat came against Calgary Flames.
Stars scored a goal while giving away one in the first period, but they conceded four goals while scoring only two in the second. They added another goal in the final, but could not score more goals and lost the game.
Predictions
Stars have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might be six or more.
If Oilers win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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