Reputation at stake as Winnipeg Jets face Carolina Hurricanes – NHL Preview
Winnipeg Jets and Carolina Hurricanes are not yet officially eliminated from the playoff contention, but their chances of playing in the postseason are virtually over.
Both teams have five more games left to play in the regular season and it would take a miracle for these teams to beat the other competitive teams in the Eastern Conference and qualify for the playoffs.
That being said, both Jets and Hurricanes want to end the season on a positive not and as they face each other, they have nothing but reputation at stake.
The matchup will take place on Friday, March 30, 2012, at PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Jets
Jets are ranked at 10th spot in the Eastern Conference with 78 points after 77 games and are eight points behind the eighth-ranked Buffalo Sabres.
In order to qualify for the playoffs, Jets should win their remaining games in the regular season besides hoping for other teams to lose.
However, Jets’ victories will not come easily and keeping their recent record in mind, the odds are certainly against Jets.
They have lost five out of their last six games and are currently on a three-game losing streak with the defeats coming against Nashville Predators (3-1), Ottawa Senators (6-4) and New York Rangers (4-2).
After the recent defeat, Jets’ forward, Tanner Glass, commented:
"It's difficult, for sure. You play all year to get toward the playoffs, and when you kind of squander some chances at home here, that we feel were games we needed to win to get in, it's difficult.”
He added:
"But I don't know if we're out of it yet, but we can't play like we are."
Hurricanes
They are ranked at 12th spot in the Eastern Conference with 77 points after 77 games and are nine points behind Sabres.
Out of the last seven games, Hurricanes have won five. In their last game, Hurricanes defeated Toronto Maple Leafs to snap their two-game losing streak.
Hurricanes scored two goals in the first period and one in the second as goaltender, Cam Ward, earned his 21st shutout.
Predictions
Hurricanes have a slight edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Jets win, the winning margin will be two or more goals.
Tags: