NHL Monday night Match Preview Roundup –Part 2
Continue from http://www.senore.com/NHL-Monday-night-Match-Preview-Roundup-Part-1-a123668
4. Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers
The Boston Bruins have turned around their season significantly from their poor start earlier in 2011, considering they are the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Their form has seen them return back to the top of the Eastern Conference as they occupy the second spot, with a 28-12-1 record and 57 points, just three behind the rampant New York Rangers.
The Bruins will look to get back to winning ways against the Southeast Division side after losing 4-2 to Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, and will like usual, be the bookies' favourite to emerge victorious at the Bank Atlantic Center in Florida.
Florida Panthers, on the other hand, is not a team to be taken lightly.
Yes, they have lost three of their previous four games including a surprising 4-1 loss to the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins, but Florida is still seventh in the Eastern Conference, with a 21-14-8 record and 50 points, trailing their opponents by seven points.
Bruins will face a stern test on Monday but may have enough in the tank to emerge victorious against the Panthers and restart their challenge against the New York Rangers for the top spot in the East.
5. Detroit Red Wings vs. Buffalo Sabres
The Detroit Red Wings could not have asked for a better encounter at home than the Buffalo Sabres as they look for a record 15th straight win at home.
Red Wings have struggled away from home, but the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit is a fortress for the franchise as Detroit has a brilliant home record of 17-2-1.
Detroit is fifth in the Western Conference, with a 28-15-1 record and has 57 points, trailing conference leaders, Chicago Blackhawks by just three points.
The Red Wings are also on a winning run, having won their previous two games and four out of their previous six games.
Both losses came against opposition away from home, and with Sabres' away record being nothing to boast about, Red Wings would be the favourites to win.
Buffalo is in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference, with a poor 19-20-5 record and 43 points, losing four of their previous six games, three of which were away from home.
Sabres are not expected to put up much of a fight against Detroit and an easy victory for Detroit is on the cards, as Buffalo’s 8-11-0 record does not provide much confidence to the team.
6. Dallas Stars vs. St. Louis Blues
This will be a cracker with both teams in a good knick recently.
Dallas Stars lost to the Colorado Avalanche, 2-1, in their last encounter but have won three out of their six games.
Stars however, are in the bottom half of the Western Conference after their inconsistent performances over the season. Dallas has a 24-18-1 record and 49 points, with just two points separating them from a playoff berth.
St. Louis Blues meanwhile, have been brilliant with coach, Ken Hitchcock, overseeing a complete change in the team’s mentality.
The Blues have won five of their previous six games and will be favourites to overcome Dallas.
The Blues are fourth in the Western Conference with a 26-12-6 record and smart money will be on them to win at home, at the Scottrade Center in Saint Louis.
Tags: