Surging Buffalo Sabres in a must-win situation as they face Pittsburgh Penguins – NHL Preview
Buffalo Sabres are well within the playoff contention at the moment and they should be given complete credit for the brilliant performance they put up to reach the comfort zone. Now, the equation is simple for them: Win the rest of the games and qualify
for the playoffs.
Sabres have five more games left in the regular season and they are facing serious competition from the Washington Capitals, who are ranked just below them in the Eastern Conference.
On the other hand, Pittsburgh Penguins have already gained a playoff berth, but they have to end the season on a positive note and carry the winning momentum forward.
Penguins and Sabres will face each other on Friday, March 30, 2012, at First Niagara Center, Buffalo, New York.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Sabres
They are ranked at eighth spot in the Eastern Conference with 86 points after 77 games. Capitals, ranked at ninth spot, also have the same number of points, but they have played one more game than Sabres.
At present, Sabres are on a five-game winning streak with the victories coming against Tampa Bay Lightning (7-3), Montreal Canadiens (3-0), New York Rangers (4-1), Minnesota Wild (3-1) and Washington Capitals (5-1).
Before the game against Capitals, Sabres were ranked at ninth spot, but they defeated the then eighth-ranked Capitals to exchange the spots.
Sabres’ right wing, Drew Stafford, said after the game:
"It's a great thing because of the way we're playing. We can control our fate now. We know every game from now on is just like it's been the past month or so -- it's must-win. Even though we're in right now, it doesn't matter to us because we've got games
left and we need to get the job done."
Penguins
They are ranked at fourth spot in the Eastern Conference with 100 points after 77 games and have already qualified for the playoffs.
However, their recent performance is below par as they have lost three out of their last four games and are currently on a two-game losing streak.
Both recent defeats came against New York Islanders.
Penguins have five more games left in the regular season and they want to win them all. Their coach, Dan Bylsma, said:
"We're in Buffalo (Friday), and we have big games with Philly, New York, Boston and Philly again. We're going to try to win every one of those games."
Predictions
Sabres could edge past Penguins.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Penguins win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
Tags: