Pittsburgh Penguins carry edge as they host Anaheim Ducks – NHL Preview
The desperation to reach the playoffs in Anaheim Ducks’ camp is evident and keeping their recent performance in mind, one can give them a little credit for trying hard to achieve the goal.
But there is no smooth sailing when you reach the stage where even a single defeat could have drastic repercussions.
Ducks have won their last two games, but the streak will need an outstanding effort to get stretched to three as Anaheim is going to face Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Anaheim is placed at 13th spot in National Hockey League (NHL) Western Conference with 55 points after 56 games. The Ducks have to get past at least five teams to get into the top eight of the conference.
Of late, the team has been doing well and has won four of its last five games.
The last victory came against Minnesota Wild.
Ducks went one goal down in the first period, and after spending the next period goalless, they hit back hard to score two goals in the final to get the victory.
Corey Perry, who had scored a hat trick a game earlier, scored the go-ahead goal of the game. He said after the victory:
"We're just playing the same way the whole game and not trying to do different things or be too cute when we get down. That's what we've been doing since we've been on this roll and we have to keep doing it."
Ducks should do what Perry is saying as Penguins are becoming a threat on their home ice. Currently on a two-game winning streak, Pittsburgh has won its last six games on home ice and would certainly need a seventh victory as well.
Besides a commendable run on home, Penguins also have an advantage entering the game as they are already in the safe zone and can qualify for the playoffs if they continue playing the way they are doing now.
Pittsburgh is placed at fifth spot in the Eastern Conference with 69 points after 56 games.
Its recent victory came against the Tama Bay Lightning, who scored two goals to get a lead early in the game, but Penguins gave a stern reply and scored four goals to seal the victory.
Predictions:
Penguins will face a tough challenge, but they are favourites to win.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams can exceed six.
Even if Ducks manage a victory, the deficit is expected to be less than two goals.
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