San Jose Sharks favourites against Tampa Bay Lightning
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A victory against Washington Capitals has lifted the morale of San Jose Sharks, who slightly got strayed from the winning path this month. Their next destination is Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida, where they will take on Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday,
February 16, 2012.
Sharks will certainly hold an edge over the regressing Tampa Bay, which has so far failed to demonstrate the determination to reach the playoffs.
The Sharks, however, also have a point to prove. Their current road trip, which will continue till the end of this month, needs to be successful so as to clear any doubts on their abilities.
Here is a look at how these two teams are performing presently.
Sharks
San Jose is in the safe zone after being placed at third spot in the Western Conference with 68 points after 54 games.
The team has been performing well, but it has lost three of its last five games.
Thankfully for the Sharks, the Capitals surrendered against them.
After going four goals down, Washington did try to retaliate and put up a fight by scoring two goals in the final half of the third period, but it could not progress ahead and the final score settled at 5-3.
Sharks’ winger, Joe Pavelski, said of the win:
"It was really important for us. We didn't want to go 0-2 on a nine-game road trip. You see what can happen with Chicago. It just keeps snowballing and it never gets easier on the road."
Lightning
Tampa Bay does not have very bright chances against San Jose.
Lightning have only won one out of their last five games and are on a two-game losing streak with the defeats coming against Pittsburgh Penguins (4-2) and Ottawa Senators (4-0).
Ottawa scored one goal in the first and second period respectively and scored twice in the final to get the victory.
Tampa Bay coach, Guy Boucher, said after the game:
"They gave everything they had. But we just couldn't score again. We keep getting wide-open opportunities and we keep missing the net, so it's been a puzzle for us.”
He added:
“We felt if we kept doing what we were doing, those Grade A chances would give us something. That's what's tough for me to accept. At some point, it's supposed to pay off and it hasn't."
Tampa Bay is placed at 13th spot in the Eastern Conference with 54 points after 56 games.
Predictions
Sharks will win in the regulation.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams can remain under six.
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