Florida Panthers could clinch Southeast Division title by beating Carolina Hurricanes – NHL Preview
The Florida Panthers have already qualified for the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs this season, but the fate of the Southeast Division is yet to be decided and if Panthers get a victory against Carolina Hurricanes, they will enter the playoffs as
the Southeast Division leaders.
Panthers are also leading the division at the moment, but after beating Hurricanes, they could get a decisive edge over other teams of the division.
As for Carolina Hurricanes, they are already out of the playoff contention, but they could take advantage of Panthers’ present losing streak and dent their chances of leading the division.
The matchup will take place on Saturday, April 07, 2012, at BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida.
Let’s take a look at both teams.
Panthers
They are ranked at third spot in the Eastern Conference with 92 points after 81 games. They are two points ahead of the Washington Capitals, who are ranked at second spot in the Southeast Division.
If Capitals win their last game of the season and Panthers get defeated against Hurricanes, both teams will tie for the first position in the division.
At present, Panthers are focused more on finding their winning momentum back rather than leading the division. They have lost eight out of their last nine games and are currently on a five-game losing streak.
The recent defeats came against Minnesota Wild (3-2 in overtime), Columbus Blue Jackets (4-1), Detroit Red Wings (2-1 after shootout), Winnipeg Jets (5-4 in overtime) and Washington Capitals (4-2).
Stephen Weiss, who has been playing with Panthers for a long time, was delighted to reach the playoffs. He said after the game against Capitals:
"It's been a long 10 years. You wonder if you're doing the right thing. At the end of the day, it was worth staying."
Hurricanes
They are ranked at 12th spot in the Eastern Conference with 82 points after 81 games.
Hurricanes have won three out of their last five games and are currently on a two-game winning streak with the victories coming against Ottawa Senators (2-1) and Montreal Canadiens (2-1 after shootout).
Hurricanes’ captain, Eric Staal, was disappointed over not reaching the playoffs, but hoped for a better performance in the next season. He said after the last defeat:
"I think we're in the right direction. As a player, I want to be back in the playoffs, and I'm sure as a fanbase, everybody around here wants to be back there, too. We'll look forward to next season."
Predictions
Hurricanes might win the game.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Panthers win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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