San Jose Sharks to end losing run against Philadelphia Flyers - NHL Preview
Two teams who are struggling for results will face each other on Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose as the Sharks take on Philadelphia Flyers.
The Sharks struggles this month show no signs of ending as one bad performance follows another. San Jose has won just four of its 13 games this month, dropping down to seventh in the Western Conference with 71-points.
Both goaltenders Antti Niemi and Thomas Greiss have had major problems in front of goal while the Sharks offensive line has similarly underperformed.
They will be looking to return back to winning ways with the visit of Philadelphia Flyers against whom they have historically been highly successful.
The Flyers are not in good shape either.
Winning just five of their 12 games this month, Philadelphia has dropped down the Eastern Conference standings into fifth with 75-points.
Sharks (32-22-7, 71pts)
San Jose is currently on a two-game losing streak after ending a four-game skid on Thursday, with a 2-1 road win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After a long nine-game road trip, San Jose will be looking to return back to winning ways at home ice as they start a four-game home stretch starting with the visit of Philadelphia.
Recent performances though have not been up to the mark for the Sharks as they lost by a huge 6-2 margin to Nashville Predators on Saturday and followed it up by a late collapse against Minnesota Wild on Sunday.
The Sharks were ahead 3-2 in the third period but two late goals from Minnesota sent them once again to another close defeat.
Left wing Jamie McGinn said.
"We need to do a better job of taking our men and closing out games. We just didn't finish it off (Sunday). It's going to be a long flight home. We'll do some stewing about it (Monday) and probably do some video, but you know we have to get back at home
here and get back on the winning side because it's playoff hockey right now."
Flyers (34-20-7, 75pts)
Philadelphia on the other hand enters this game on the back of a confidence boosting 5-4 shootout win over the Calgary Flames.
Trailing 3-0 in the second period, the Flyers fought back in spectacular fashion to equalise the game and when Calgary once again took the lead ten minutes into the final period, the Flyers responded with another equalising goal to send the game to 4-4.
Matt Read’s shootout goal won the game for Philadelphia and the Flyers will be looking to build some momentum after this win.
Predictions
San Jose will end its two-game skid against Philadelphia at home ice.
It will turn into a high scoring game with both teams defences struggling for form.
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