Nashville Predators hopeful to end skid as Winnipeg Jets visit – NHL Preview
Winnipeg Jets are in a must-win situation and a single defeat can badly hurt their already slim hopes of reaching the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs this season.
The other cause of concern for the Jets is the fact that the teams that are ranked above them in the Eastern Conference are equally desperate to play in the postseason and are not surrendering.
On the other hand, Nashville Predators are well on the course of reaching the playoffs, but they too have a few issues to address. They have been struggling on defence of late and it is not a good omen for them with the playoffs just around the corner.
Jets and Predators are going to face each other on Saturday, March 24, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee.
Here is a look at both teams.
Jets
They are ranked at 10th spot in the Eastern Conference with 78 points after 74 games and are four points behind the eighth-ranked Washington Capitals. Buffalo Sabres are ranked at ninth spot.
In their last game, Jets defeated Washington Capitals to snap their two-game losing streak.
Capitals scored a goal in the first period and added two more in the second, but Jets staged an impressive comeback. They scored two goals in the same period and added another in the final to level the score.
Jets scored another in overtime to win the game, 4-3.
Spencer Machacek, who scored the game-tying goal for the Jets, said after the game:
"We knew the extent of coming in right now, how it's a big playoff push. We were excited just to help out any way we can. It doesn't matter if we score the goals. We just want to get the team wins, and tonight's a start."
Predators
They are ranked at fifth spot in the Western Conference with 92 points after 74 games.
Predators have lost four out of their last five games and are currently on a two-game losing streak with the defeats coming against Edmonton Oilers (6-3) and Pittsburgh Penguins (5-1).
Against Penguins, Predators were four goals down before they could score their only goal of the game.
Alexander Radulov, who scored the goal for Predators, said after the game:
"We just had to bury those. If we did that, it was a completely different game. We didn't and they buried their chances. It's hard to win when you only score one goal."
Predictions
Predators might be able to end their skid.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might be six or more.
If Jets win, the winning margin will be two or more goals.
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