NHL Preview Roundup: Pittsburgh Penguins vs St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks vs Dallas Stars
Pittsburgh at St. Louis (8.00 p.m. ET)
The resurging Pittsburgh Penguins have got all that it takes to overcome the impressive St. Louis Blues, and considering the Penguins’ recent run, the target seems well achievable.
An exciting encounter is certainly on the cards as these two sides are going to face off on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at the Scottrade Center, Saint Louis, Missouri.
After snapping their six-game losing streak earlier this month, the Penguins have won six straight games and would not say ‘no’ to increasing the number of victories.
They have played high-scoring games lately, and two of their last six games were decided on shootouts, while one in overtime.
They defeated Montreal Canadiens (5-4 after shootout) on Friday, and Washington Capitals (4-3 in overtime) on Sunday.
"I have great confidence now, you know?" Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin said. "You win six games, I think everyone has great confidence now. I just am enjoying the game, you know? And having fun."
The Penguins are ranked sixth in the NHL Eastern Conference with 58 points after playing 48 games.
On the other hand, the Blues are ranked fourth in the Western Conference with 64 points after 48 games.
They lost their last game against Detroit Red Wings (3-1), but have won eight out of their last 10 games.
In order to beat the Penguins, the Blues will really need to be disciplined on the rink as many of their defeats came as a result of penalties.
Anaheim at Dallas (8.30 p.m. ET)
The Anaheim Ducks cannot ignore the prolonged slump they sustained early on in the season, but their performance this month might have given them some confidence, which will certainly be on display when they will play against Dallas Stars on Tuesday, January
24, 2012, at the American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas.
The Ducks are on a five-game winning streak and have lost only two out of their 10 games played in this month.
After playing 47 games, the Ducks are ranked at 13th spot in the NHL Western Conference with 43 points, but they think they can progress.
"I think everybody knows that we can play better and we have to play better if we want to win on Tuesday, but I think we take those points," Ducks’ goalie, Jonas Hiller, said.
The Stars have completely opposite stats. They have lost five games in a row and no one knows how many defeats are more to come.
Stars’ left winger, Eric Nystrom thinks that the teams should protect its net in a better way.
"We're giving up a lot of goals and we don't score enough now to be giving up five goals, so we've got to tighten up," he said. "It's hard work, that's all it is."
They have 50 points after 47 games and are ranked above the Ducks in the same conference, but that does not give the Stars an edge over the Ducks.
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