St. Louis Blues face the confident Winnipeg Jets – NHL Preview
St. Louis Blues are the winners and Winnipeg Jets are confident.
Both the teams are going to face each other in a National Hockey League (NHL) game on Saturday, February 25, 2012, at MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Here’s a tip for both of them: Do not get complacent!
Let’s have a look at both these teams.
Blues
Blues are on a six-game road trip that started on a positive note as they defeated Nashville Predators in the last game.
After playing one game on the weekend, they will play the next four of the present trip next week.
Against Predators, Blues got a one-goal lead in the first period, but both the teams were tied, 2-2, after the end of the second period.
The third period and overtime went goalless, which forced the game to shootout in which Blues scored twice without conceding any goal to get the victory.
A day earlier, Blues had lost against Boston Bruins. Blues’ coach, Ken Hitchcock, said of the scenario:
"I thought it was like two different games. I thought we were better than them in the first period, the overtime and the second half of the third. They were better in the second period and first half of the third. They had more energy. We seemed to hit the
wall in the second period from (Wednesday) night's game.”
He added:
"But man, we came back and gutted it out in the third. So it was a great, great way to start the road trip."
Blues are ranked at fourth spot in the Western Conference 81 points after 61 games.
Jets
Jets have handsomely paved their way to reach the safe zone in the Eastern Conference where they are ranked at third place at the moment with 67 points after 63 games.
They have won seven out of 12 games played this month, but have failed to register more victories against strong teams.
As they prepare to face Blues, they will certainly have to work equally well on offence and defence as a defeat could hurt their playoff chances.
In their last game, Jets defeated Tampa Bay Lightning.
Jets scored two goals in the first and second period respectively, but conceded three in the final.
Blues can certainly utilise that void.
Predictions
Blues have a slight edge.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams might exceed six.
If Jets win, the goal difference will be less than two.
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