Florida Panthers take on the surging Carolina Hurricanes – NHL Preview
New York Rangers is the only team that has officially qualified for the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs from the Eastern Conference, but Florida Panthers are also well on the course of reaching the postseason.
As for Carolina Hurricanes, the chances of qualifying for the playoffs are slim, but their impressive recent run has forced the observers not to count them out.
Both teams are going to play against each other on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Panthers
They are presently on a five-game winning streak with the victories coming against Carolina Hurricanes (2-0), Toronto Maple Leafs (5-2), Boston Bruins (6-2), Buffalo Sabres (3-2 after shootout) and Philadelphia Flyers (2-1).
In the last game, Panthers started the game well and got a lead in the first period. They defended well and added another goal in the second.
Flyers managed to hit back and scored a goal in the same period, but no team was able to score more goals after that.
Panthers’ goaltender, Scott Clemmensen, said after the game:
"For me, it's a matter of getting into my comfort zone, getting into a flow. Certainly, experience helps you at this time of year, but it's never easy in this building. We'll definitely take this."
Panthers are ranked at third spot in the Eastern Conference with 85 points after 72 games.
Hurricanes
Presently on a three-game winning streak, Hurricanes are ranked at 11th spot in the Eastern Conference with 73 points after 73 games and are seven points behind the eighth-ranked Washington Capitals.
The recent victories came against St. Louis Blues (2-0), Minnesota Wild (5-3) and Winnipeg Jets (4-3).
In the game against Jets, Hurricanes were tied, 1-1, after the first period. Jets got two goals in the second period while Hurricanes could only get one.
In the final period, however, Hurricanes fought back and scored twice without giving away any scoring move to win the game.
Hurricanes’ goaltender, Kirk Muller, said after the game:
"It's a gutsy effort, back-to-back games coming into a really tough building. This is the way our guys have been playing since Christmas. They go, give it everything they got. We had a short bench, had injuries there tonight and everything, but they've been
finding a way to pick up points and I'm really proud of the group. Everybody's really stepped up."
Predictions
Panther have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Hurricanes win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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