NHL Thursday Roundup Part 2 - NHL News
4. Carolina Hurricanes vs Tampa Bay Lightning
This will be a tough basement battle as two teams at the bottom of the Eastern Conference take to the rink.
Hurricanes have been poor this season and it is no wonder they remain at the bottom of the rankings and seem to miss Calder Trophy winner, Jeff Skinner badly.
Skinner may get a game on Thursday but it is doubtful and the Hurricanes will do well to go for a victory with the rest of their roster.
Hurricanes are on a two-game losing streak and a game against an even less confident Tampa Bay Lightning.
Lightning have lost four straight games in a row, including a 5-4 shootout loss against the Vancouver Canucks in their last game.
It is a great opportunity for Tampa Bay to finally snap their four game losing streak against the Hurricanes who have reached rock bottom this season.
5. Phoenix Coyotes vs Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings were embarrassed last in their last game losing 5-1 to the New York Islanders of all teams and will look to put memories of that game behind them when they take on the Phoenix Coyotes.
The Red Wings are fifth in the Western Conference with a 26-15-1 record and are playing well barring the defeat to the Islanders.
The Coyotes meanwhile are out of the playoff spots and need to put up some big wins to get back in the running for the postseason. The Coyotes lost to the New York Rangers in their previous game in an exciting encounter with goaltender Mike Smith putting
in a wonderful performance in front of the nets.
However, the Coyotes lost the shootout and will look to right that result against Detroit.
The Red Wings are favourites for the win as their recent form in the season has been brilliant and will have home ice advantage.
6. Vancouver Canucks vs St. Louis Blues
A fixture that resonates the saying the immovable object meets the unstoppable force. The Canucks have one of the best away records in the National Hockey League this season and face the St. Louis Blues whose home form is second to none.
This will be a mouth-watering fixture as both teams are in great form. The Canucks lead the Western Conference rankings with a 27-14-3 record. The Blues are not far behind and are only two points from overtaking the Canada based franchise for the top rank
in the Western Conference.
The Blues are in great form having won four straight games and will be confident that they can take victory at home. The Canucks lost to the Florida Panthers last time out in a 2-1 loss but will fancy their chances given their brilliant form away from home.
The Canucks will just about edge out the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.
7. San Jose Sharks vs Winnipeg Jets
The San Jose Sharks played a blinder in their previous game against the Minnesota Wild coming back twice to tie the game but in the end lost in the resulting shootout.
The Sharks had their four game winning run snapped after that loss and will be looking to regain the initiative against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. San Jose are currently third in the Western Conference with a 23-11-5 record and are favourites to take
home the win.
The Jets are a single point behind the playoff final spot holders Washington Capitals who are eighth in the Eastern Conference. Winnipeg has had a poor season but are strong at home ice with a 14-6-1 record and will create some problems for the Sharks.
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