New Jersey Devils seeking revenge as New York Islanders visit – NHL Preview
Last week when New York Islanders hosted New Jersey Devils, the former emerge victorious after a low-scoring game.
The winning team has not played any game after that victory, but Devils defeated National Hockey League (NHL) Eastern Conference leaders, New York Rangers, in an attempt to regain their form.
Now both these sides are ready to face each other again with Islanders hopeful to repeat the heroics, while Devils are determined to take revenge.
The matchup will take place on Thursday, March 8, 2012, at Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey.
Here is a look at both teams.
Islanders
Islanders have 16 more games to play in the regular season. They are out of the comfort zone in the Eastern Conference and will have to secure victories in all the remaining games (or at least in most of them) if they want to make it to the playoffs.
However, the road is not going to be easy as they are going to face a few top teams of the league.
Their recent form might boost the team’s morale as they are on a two-game winning run with the victories coming against Boston Bruins (3-2) and Devils (1-0).
After today’s matchup, the Islanders will once again take on Devils on Saturday.
Islanders are ranked at 13th spot in the conference with 65 points after 66 games and are seven points short of eighth ranked Winnipeg Jets.
Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs are ranked between Jets and Islanders.
Devils
They have regressed badly during the past few weeks, but are still in the safe zone. They are ranked at sixth spot in the Eastern Conference with 79 points after 66 games.
Out of the last seven games, they have lost five, but recorded an impressive victory in the last game against Rangers.
Devils completely outclassed Rangers and scored three goals in the final period without conceding any to gain the decisive three-goal advantage. Both teams were tied, 1-1, by the end of the second period.
Devils’ coach, Pete DeBoer, said of the encounter against Islanders:
"When you come off an emotional win like you just did, the next game is always a tough one trying to remanufacture that again.”
He added:
“You listen to the Rangers talk about the game and they came off an emotional game against Boston and couldn’t get it back against us the next night. We're facing the same type of situation here (Thursday), so we have to make sure we don't fall into that."
Predictions
Since Devils have the home-field advantage, they can get an edge over Islanders.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Islanders win, the winning margin will be more than two goals.
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