Slumping Detroit Red Wings travel to play against New York Rangers – NHL Preview
Both Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers will appear in the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs this season, but the cause of worry for both teams is the same: Will they be able to excel in the postseason?
The answer can only be given by displaying such a performance that would force observers to predict them as favourites in the playoffs.
As both teams prepare to face each other on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, they are hoping to win the game and build a momentum that could be carried forward.
Here is a look at both teams.
Red Wings
They are ranked at fifth spot in the Western Conference with 92 points after 73 games.
The record looks good, but their recent performance speaks otherwise. Red Wings have only won two games this month and lost seven.
At present, they are on a five-game losing streak with the defeats coming against Nashville Predators (3-2), Los Angeles Kings (5-2), Anaheim Ducks (4-0), San Jose Sharks (3-2 in overtime) and Washington Capitals (5-3).
In the last game, Red Wings gave away three goals in the first period without scoring any. They scored one goal in the second period, but Capitals also got one.
In the final period, Red Wings got two goals, but Capitals also got one and won the game.
Red Wings’ defenseman, Niklas Kronwall, said after the game:
"We can't sit around feeling sorry for ourselves. We're not going anywhere that way. We have to find a way to come together as a group and move forward, still try to think positive, see things positive."
Rangers
Rangers are leading the Eastern Conference with 97 points after 72 games and have already qualified for the playoffs.
However, their performance has remained on and off lately and this attitude cannot help their cause of winning the Stanley Cup.
In their last game, Rangers defeated New Jersey Devils to snap their two-game losing streak.
Rangers were aggressive from the start. They scored a goal in the first period and added two more in the second period in which Devils also scored twice.
In the final period, Rangers scored another goal and won the game, 4-2.
Rangers’ coach, John Tortorella, said after the game:
"I just want us to continue to play and continue to try to improve, and try to be playing our best hockey when we go into that last week. These last couple of weeks are very important."
Predictions
Since Red Wings are not at their best when it comes to playing on road, Rangers have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might be six or more.
If Red Wings win, the winning margin will be two or more goals.
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