Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators ready to face off – NHL Preview
Los Angeles Kings need only one or two more victories to reach the safe zone of National Hockey League (NHL) Western Conference and they certainly carry potential of being a playoff team.
However, Kings are not the only ones to have been facing the challenge of securing more victories. In the competitive Western Conference, there are a couple of more teams that can capitalise on the opportunity if Kings somehow go down.
In such a situation, Kings need to be alert and ensure extracting maximum gains out of the rest of their games in the regular season.
On the other hand, Predators are certainly not bothered about reaching the playoffs as they have secured enough points so as to qualify for the postseason.
Predators are currently on a four-game road trip and they will play their next game against Kings on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, California.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Kings
Kings have only lost two out of seven games they have played this month and are currently on a three-game winning streak with the victories coming against Chicago Blackhawks (3-2 after shootout), Detroit Red Wings (5-2) and Anaheim Ducks (4-2).
Against Ducks, Kings scored three goals in the first period and gained a healthy advantage that eventually led them to the victory.
Kings’ centre, Anze Kopitar, said after the game:
"Right now, it's desperation time for us, obviously. I thought tonight we came out really strong. The first period we had was a good booster for us. When you do get a couple goals ahead, it's maybe a little easier to play the rest of the game. It's definitely
easier than chasing from behind."
Kings are ranked at 10th spot in the Western Conference with 80 points after 71 games and are just one point behind the eighth ranked Colorado Avalanche.
Predators
They are ranked at fifth spot in the Western Conference with 90 points after 70 games and have won four of their last six games.
In their last game, Predators got defeated by San Jose Sharks in a low-scoring game.
Predators scored a goal in the first period to get a lead, which was neutralised by Sharks in the final period.
After the goalless overtime, the game was sent to shootout where Sharks got the victory.
Predators’ coach, Barry Trotz, said after the game:
"We took a bad penalty at the end of the second period and they scored on the power play. That was the difference. We learned a little lesson there. When it goes to a shootout, anything can happen."
Predictions
A tough encounter is expected with the sum of goals scored by both teams exceeding six.
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