Pittsburgh Penguins vs New Jersey Devils heading for competitive weekend challenge-NHL Preview
The stakes are equally higher for the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils in their Saturday, March 17, 2012 matchup as both of them are looking to extend their lead in the Eastern Conference, with very little point-difference between their positions
on the league’s points table.
Penguins with 91 points are at the 4th position, just four points behind the conference leaders, the New York Rangers, with 95 points.
The race is more competitive for Devils who with 87 points need four more to catch up on with Penguins. The chase for the number one Rangers’ slot is a harder and longer for them.
In view of the scenario, the New Jersey Devils are heading into the weekend game with a must win situation.
The victory remains a possibility for them given the fact that the recent record is in their favour. They have beaten Penguins twice in their last three meetings, and are aiming to make it to 3-1 when they play the visitors for forth times this Saturday.
A factor that especially gives them an edge is the injury problem confronting Penguins. They are most likely to be without their captain, Sidney Crosby, who has just come out of the concussion and longer period of absence, and trying to regain his fitness
and form.
He played for Penguins during their last game, and said to have felt ok. A number of reports however pointed out at lingering doubts about his participation for the weekend’s game.
Yet the team remains hopeful about his participation and an encouraging point for them is the sudden shift in the player’s approach, who said to have refrained from experimenting too much and trying to play his own and natural game.
This also leaves a question mark on his ability of playing upto his potential. Some commentators believe that his cautious mindset might put him back on defences and he loses his natural aggressive touch, affecting his speed and form at the end.
In any case, if Crosby is able to make to the squad on the weekend, it will be a great boost for Penguins and there is a greater likelihood that they consolidate their lead somewhere closer to Rangers.
The fact that Devils should be mindful of is that in spite of absence of their captain Penguins are able to win nine of their last ten games. So they must be looking for a tough challenge from them.
Overall the game is going to be very competitive with the possibility of nail-biting finish. As earlier said, the victory remains more important for Devils to improve their standing from current 6th level to be in top three teams.
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