Philadelphia Flyers favourites against Toronto Maple Leafs – NHL Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs have now been officially eliminated from the playoff contention and this development does not come as surprise to anyone keeping the team’s recent performance in mind.
They have five more games to play in the regular season and Leafs are hoping to end their run on a positive note.
In an attempt to gain consolation, Leafs are going to play their next game against Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Since Flyers have already qualified for the playoffs, their main focus is to stay on winning track and carry the momentum into the postseason.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Leafs
They are ranked at 14th spot in the Eastern Conference with 75 points after 77 games.
They have lost four of their last five games and are presently on a two-game losing streak with the defeats coming against New York Rangers (4-3 after shootout) and Carolina Hurricanes (3-0).
The defeat against Hurricanes proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Leafs as they were officially eliminated from the playoff contention after that loss.
Leafs’ defenseman, Carl Gunnarsson, said after the game:
"We can't ask for anyone else to come in and be Jesus here. It's up to us. I don't think we need a savior, we can do it on our own. It's just a matter of turning it around and getting our minds into it and I think if everyone believes it we can do it."
Flyers
They are ranked at fifth spot in the Eastern Conference with 96 points after 76 games and have six more games to play in the regular season.
In their last game, Flyers got defeated by Tama Bay Lightning. The defeat ended Flyers’ two-game winning run.
Flyers were two goals down by the end of the first period, but they scored twice in the second to level the score. However, Lightning scored three goals in the final while conceding only one to win the game.
Flyers’ coach, Peter Laviolette, said after the game:
"It's disappointing. Two points is two points. Doesn't matter whether it's Tampa or the New York Rangers."
Predictions
Flyers have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might be six or more.
If Leafs win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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