Minnesota Wild travel to play against Detroit Red Wings – NHL Preview
The regressing Minnesota Wild have a slight chance to recover as their next National Hockey League (NHL) game is scheduled against the challenging Detroit Red Wings on Friday, March 2, 2012, at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan.
The Red Wings are unarguably one of the most threatening units on their home ice and have set the NHL record by winning 23 straight games on their home ice this season.
They slightly went down after that streak, but Wild are too naive to utilise that to their advantage.
Let’s have a look at both the teams.
Wild
They have lost three of their last four games and are presently on a two-game losing streak with the recent defeats coming against Los Angeles Kings (4-0) and Montreal Canadiens (5-4 after shootout).
Wild were far from being impressive in the first two periods, but came back sharply in the final and scored three goals to level the score and force the game to overtime.
After the goalless overtime, the game went to the shootout where Canadiens eventually got the victory.
Wild collected one point after the game and have a total of 66 points after 64 games. They are ranked at 12th spot in the Western Conference.
Wild’s coach, Mike Yeo, said after the latest defeat:
"That was quite a game. It's too bad we couldn't get that second point.”
Wild are five points behind the eighth ranked Dallas Stars.
Red Wings
Last month, they were leading the Western Conference, but they went down towards the end and lost the conference supremacy.
However, they are still very much in the comfort zone and are expected to easily qualify for the playoffs.
In the last game, Red Wings snapped their three-game losing streak by defeating Columbus Blue Jackets.
Both teams were tied, 1-1, after the first period. The second period went goalless and Blue Jackets got the lead in the third period.
However, Red Wings gave a stern reply and scored four games within the span of around 10 minutes to get the decisive three-goal advantage.
Detroit’s winger, Henrik Zetterberg, said after the game:
"We really needed a win. We had a few bodies out. The guys that came out did a really good job."
Red Wings are ranked at second spot in the conference with 87 points after 64 games.
Predictions
Red Wings have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams might exceed six.
If Wild win, the winning margin will be more than two goals.
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