San Jose Sharks favourites against Carolina Hurricanes – NHL Preview
On paper, San Jose Sharks are certainly an unbeatable force in front of Carolina Hurricanes, but keeping the last game of both the teams in mind, Carolina should also get some good ratings.
However, Sharks will still stay favourites as they take on Hurricanes on Friday, February 17, 2012, in a National Hockey League (NHL) game at RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Here’s a look at what both the teams did in their last game respectively and what the prospects are now.
Sharks
San Jose is ranked at third spot in the Western Conference with 69 points after 55 games, which means that the team might not face problems in reaching the playoffs.
However, the Sharks have to ensure winning games if they want to retain this position.
In the competitive Western Conference, where Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars are trying desperately to reach the safe zone, a few defeats might push the Sharks very down in the ranking table.
Sharks’ recent game against Tampa Bay Lightning badly exposed the team’s defence as the Lightning scored six goals.
Sharks got a goal in the first period, but Tampa Bay managed two to end the period with lead.
Sharks scored three goals in the second period while restricting Lightning to scoring only one to snatch the lead.
In the final period, however, Sharks could not contain the Lightning, who scored two goals while allowing only one to end the game with score tied, 5-5, in the regulation.
In overtime, Lightning proved to be the better of the two sides.
Sharks’ goaltender, Antti Niemi, indeed had a terrible time. Coach, Todd McLellan, said of Niemi:
"He wasn't any good. I protect him a lot and talk about the team. He has to be better, flat out has to be better. They scored four goals on net play, rebounds, picking up the garbage, wraparounds, jams. That's our D-men. That's our low forwards. So everybody
has some responsibility, but [Niemi] knows he has to be better."
Hurricanes
Carolina is placed at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 53 points after 57 games.
The Hurricanes surprisingly defeated Boston Bruins earlier this month and then victimised Los Angeles Kings.
After that, they lost two straight games, but ended the skid after getting a win over Montreal Canadiens on Monday.
Against Montreal, Hurricanes got a two-goal advantage, which was turned to a one-goal deficit by the Canadiens.
However, Hurricanes managed three goals in the final period to get the victory.
Predictions
Sharks will win the game.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams will be over six.
Even if the Sharks lose the game, the goal difference will not be more than two.
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