Regressing Phoenix Coyotes take on Vancouver Canucks – NHL Preview
Phoenix Coyotes have to gain their momentum back and repeat the heroics from last month or else they might end up regretting at the end of the National Hockey League (NHL) regular season.
After showcasing brilliant performance in February, they have slumped quite badly in March and jeopardised their chances of reaching the playoffs.
Although they are still in the safe zone of the Western Conference, they might soon be pushed down if they continue to play the way they are doing it right now.
As for Vancouver Canucks, reaching the playoffs is not something that is bothering them. However, they could certainly take a shot at the President’s Trophy, but for that they have to be consistent.
As both these teams prepare to meet each other on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Canucks have an upper hand.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Coyotes
Coyotes have played seven games this month and could only win one. Their recent defeat came against Nashville Predators after a very close encounter.
Predators were leading, 1-0, by the end of the first period. Both teams scored two goals each in the next period and Coyotes scored twice in the final while conceding one goal to level the score.
After the goalless overtime, the game was forced to shootout where Predators eventually got the victory.
Coyotes’ coach, Dave Tippett, said after the game:
"At this point in the season, you take every point you can. We had to rally because we made poor mistakes. These are mistakes which cannot happen at this time of the year."
Coyotes are ranked at seventh spot in the Western Conference with 79 points after 70 games.
Canucks
They are ranked at second spot in the Western Conference with 92 points after 69 games.
However, they are not in very good form these days as they have lost three of their last four games.
The recent defeat came against Montreal Canadiens. Canucks got the first scoring move of the game in the second period, but conceded a goal in the same period and three more in the final to lose the game.
Canucks’ coach, Alain Vigneault, said after the game:
"We didn't go after them the way we should have. In the third, obviously Louie gives up a bad goal, and we didn't respond well at all. We should have responded the right way, threw two pucks in the stands and they made us pay for it."
Predictions
Canucks have an upper hand.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might exceed six.
If Coyotes win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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