Philadelphia Flyers hold an edge against Buffalo Sabres – NHL Preview
Buffalo Sabres’ recent attempt to register a surge was hampered by two straight defeats in which the offensive line struggled badly, but the team has got an opportunity to try its luck one more time as it travels to play Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday,
February 16, 2012, at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The inconsistent Flyers have been in the safe zone for a long time, but need to lift their performance up or else they might end up getting a defeat against the Sabres.
Let’s have a glance at how these two teams have been performing of late.
Sabres
Buffalo’s seemingly dead playoff hopes received a new life this month when the team carried the momentum gained towards the end of the last month.
The Sabres were miserable last month, but they ended it on a two-game winning streak.
The first game of this month was a failure, but Buffalo went on to win three straight games after that, routing New York Islanders (4-3 after shootout), Boston Bruins (6-0) and Dallas Stars (3-2 after shootout).
And when Buffalo was emerging as a different team, it lost two straight games; one against Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1) and the other against New Jersey Devils (4-1).
Against Devils, the game was levelled, 1-1, by the end of the second period, but New Jersey scored three goals in the final to get the victory.
Sabres’ coach, Lindy Ruff, said after the game:
“We need pucks to go in for different people. The big thing would've been getting the lead, forced them out of their game. We didn't. We gave them the lead.”
Buffalo is ranked at 14th spot in the Eastern Conference with 54 points after 56 games.
Flyers
Unlike, Sabres, Flyers are in the safe zone with fourth place in the Eastern Conference after 56 games and 69 points.
However, Flyers’ slumping recent run has really hurt the team’s chances.
Out of the last six games, Flyers have only won one and are currently on a two-game losing streak with the losses coming against New York Rangers (5-2) and Detroit Red Wings (4-3).
Against Red Wings, the Flyers had gained a lead, but they just could not protect it.
Flyers’ left winger, Scott Hartnell, said after the loss:
"There's not much you can do about it when they're zinging it around like that. They picked us apart a few times out there and that was the difference."
Predictions
Flyers will win the game in regulation.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams might stay under six.
Tags: