Florida Panthers hit road to play against Carolina Hurricanes – NHL Preview
After being humiliated for four straight times on home ice, Florida Panthers have a good opportunity to end the skid as they take a trip to play Carolina Hurricanes in a National Hockey League (NHL) game on Saturday, February 25, 2012, at RBC Center, Raleigh,
North Carolina.
The recent skid has brought Panthers on the verge of losing the comfort zone and they could beat the lowly Hurricanes to once again gain stability.
Here is a look at both the teams.
Panthers
Panthers are placed at eighth spot in the Eastern Conference with 66 points after 59 games. A defeat against Hurricanes could push them down the safe zone.
They are presently on a four-game losing streak with the recent defeats coming against Ottawa Senators (6-2), Washington Capitals (2-1), Anaheim Ducks (2-0) and Minnesota Wild (3-2 after shootout).
Panthers are well aware of their situation. Following the defeat against Wild, winger, Mikael Samuelsson, said:
"We can't expect other teams to lose every game. We have to bear down and do our part. If you're not winning games, you're not making the playoffs."
Before entering the recent losing phase, Panthers managed a three-game winning streak in which the opponents were not allowed to score more than one goal.
The same performance should be repeated if Panthers want to remain in the safe zone and qualify for the playoffs.
Hurricanes
The lowly Hurricanes are unpredictable and inconsistent and that’s why one cannot predict Panthers snapping their skid against Carolina.
This month, Hurricanes have beaten strong teams like Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks, while they have also faced defeats against teams that are ranked far below than those two.
Hurricanes got defeated in their last game, which was played against Anaheim Ducks.
Both the teams scored a goal each in the first period, whereas Hurricanes managed another in the second while Ducks got their second goal in the final period.
The game was sent to overtime, which went goalless and eventually the shootout was called.
Ducks scored the only goal in the shootout to get the victory.
Hurricanes are ranked at 14th spot in the Eastern Conference with 58 points after 61 games.
Predictions
Panthers might win the game.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams might stay under six.
If Hurricanes win, the goal difference will be less than two.
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