San Jose Sharks and Phoenix Coyotes battling for a playoff berth – NHL Preview
The competition in the National Hockey League (NHL) Pacific Division is getting tougher with every game.
At the moment, it is impossible to predict who will lead the division and qualify for the playoffs as around four teams are battling hard for that first spot.
In such a scenario, a game between two teams of the division, San Jose Sharks and Phoenix Coyotes, will attract interest not only of the fans, but of the other teams, whose future will depend upon the result of this encounter.
The matchup will take place on Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Jobing.com Arena, Glendale, Arizona.
Let’s take a look at both teams.
Sharks
They are ranked second in the Pacific Division and placed at eighth spot in the Western Conference with 88 points after 77 games.
In their last game, Sharks faced a defeat against Anaheim Ducks. Before that, they had won three games in a row.
Against Ducks, Sharks struggled on offence and could only score one goal in the game. On the other hand, Ducks got three goals and won the game.
Sharks’ coach, Todd McLellan, however, thinks that his team played well. He said after the loss:
"We played well enough to win, but not good enough to win, if that makes any sense at all.”
Sharks’ captain, Joe Thornton, said:
"For whatever reason, our four lines can't match up against their four lines. You've just got to win now. That's the only perspective we can think about right now. We've got five games left, and we have to win them."
Coyotes
They are ranked at fourth spot in the Pacific Division and are placed at ninth spot in the Western Conference with 87 points after 77 games.
If Coyotes win this game, they will replace Sharks in the Western Conference ranking table.
However, Coyotes will have to put a very strong effort to defeat Sharks as the former has lost three out of its last four games.
Coyotes are presently on a two-game losing streak with the defeats coming against Sharks (4-3 after shootout) and St. Louis Blues (4-0).
Coyotes’ coach, Dave Tippett, said of the game against Sharks:
"It's obviously a huge game.”
He added:
“We've got five games left, and we have to find ways to play well at home and win at home to give ourselves a chance to be a playoff team."
Predictions
Sharks have a slight edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Coyotes win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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