Struggling Tampa Bay Lightning take on the aggressive St. Louis Blues – NHL Preview
Two straight defeats for St. Louis Blues have slightly pushed them back, but they are still the top contender for the President’s Trophy and favourites to win against the struggling Tampa Bay Lightning.
With just 12 games left for Lightning, they are more or less in a must-win situation and even a single defeat can badly hurt their playoff chances.
Both teams are going to take on each other on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Blues
They are leading the Western Conference with 98 points after 72 games.
They have played eight games this month and won five. At present, they are on a two-game losing streak with the defeats coming against Chicago Blackhawks (4-3 after shootout) and Carolina Hurricanes (2-0).
Blues and Hurricanes encountered each other’s moves quite well during the first two periods of the game, but the latter managed to score twice in the final period without conceding any goal to win the game.
Blues’ coach, Ken Hitchcock, said after the game:
"We did a lot of good things. (But) when the game was on the line in the third period we didn't manage the puck well, and that was the difference in the hockey game."
Blues have added a new player, Jaden Schwartz, to their side and the player is excited about playing for the team. He said:
"It's been a dream of mine to play in the NHL and I'm excited to be able to do it as a St. Louis Blue. The Blues are having a terrific season and I will do whatever they need me to do just to help out."
Lightning
They have played seven games this month and lost four.
Lightning were defeated by Toronto Maple Leafs in their last game. Lightning scored their only goal of the game in the final period when the Leafs had already scored three goals.
Lightning are ranked at 11th spot in the Eastern Conference with 71 points after 70 games and are seven points behind the eighth-ranked Washington Capitals.
Predictions
Blues have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Lightning win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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