New York Rangers might dominate Chicago Blackhawks – NHL Preview
Every game the New York Rangers play strengthens their dominance in National Hockey League (NHL) Eastern Conference, while Chicago Blackhawks are going down in the Western Conference with every game they play.
As these two sides prepare to take on each other on Thursday, February 16, 2012, at Madison Square Garden, New York, Chicago has to stage a miraculous effort to overcome its slump and beat Rangers.
Here are some of the details that might set the backdrop of the encounter:
Rangers
New York Rangers are currently on a four-game winning streak and have only lost one out of the seven games played this month.
The streak includes victories against Tampa Bay Lightning (4-3), Philadelphia Flyers (5-2), Washington Capitals (3-2) and Boston Bruins (3-0).
Against Bruins, Rangers scored two goals in the first period and one in the final to get the victory, but the highlight of the game was the splendid performance from Rangers’ goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist, who made 42 saves to get his seventh shutout of the
season.
Despite the victory, Rangers’ coach, John Tortorella, said that the team was not performing at its best. He said:
“I just don't think we were totally on our game. But that's a good sign for a hockey club in where you're trying to gather points here. You don't play your best, you play in spurts, but you still find a way to win. We'll move on and get ready for Chicago."
Rangers are currently leading the Eastern Conference with 79 points after 55 games.
Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are passing through unarguably their worst phase of the season.
Chicago is on a nine-game losing streak and has not won any game this month. It is placed at sixth spot in the Western Conference with 65 points after 57 games.
Blackhawks’ offence failed miserably during the defeats while the defence too was not up to the mark.
Chicago has scored a total of only 17 goals in the nine games and has given away 38 goals.
The last defeat came against Nashville Predators in which the game was decided by a one-goal margin.
Blackhawks’ coach, Joel Quenneville, believes that the team will end the skid soon.
He said after the defeat:
"When you look at this stretch we have had here -- we have found different ways to not come out on top. Tonight, it looked like we were doing the things we wanted to do and that we were moving in the right direction."
Predictions
Rangers are expected to dominate Blackhawks after a close encounter.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams might stay under six.
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