Surging Carolina Hurricanes host determined New York Rangers – NHL Preview
From the last few months, Carolina Hurricanes had been performing like underdogs. They have not yet got rid of that title, but the overall performance in the month of February was indeed commendable.
Now with the start of the new month, they are certainly hoping to showcase better game-play and keep their playoff hopes, howsoever fade they maybe, alive.
However, the road is not going to be easy as they are going to face National Hockey League (NHL) Eastern Conference leaders, New York Rangers, on Thursday, March 1, 2012, at RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina.
After slightly slipping away from the track, Rangers managed to end the month on a positive note by winning the last two games.
Here is a look at both the teams.
Hurricanes
They started and ended the last month on a positive note. They played 11 games in February and won six, which is indeed laudable considering their performance in the past few months.
In their last game, Hurricanes outscored Nashville Predators.
Predators had grabbed a one-goal lead in the first period, but Hurricanes managed three goals in the second while giving away only one to take the lead.
Both teams scored apiece in the final period and the final score, 4-3, settled in Carolina’s favour.
Hurricanes are ranked at 13th spot in the Eastern Conference with 61 points after 63 games and are eight points behind the eighth ranked Washington Capitals.
Their coach, Kirk Muller, said after the last game:
"Quietly, we're putting some points together. We're in every game, and that's all I ask of them because they try and they compete. We got six out of eight points, and we knew this was an important stretch. The month has been good."
Rangers
Rangers lost only four out of 13 games played last month.
They are presently on a two-game winning streak with the recent wins coming against Buffalo Sabres (3-2 in overtime) and New Jersey Devils (2-0).
Goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist, who got his eighth shutout of the season, said after the game:
"It means that things have been going well, but it also means that I played for a club that's given me an opportunity to play a lot. I have a pretty good team in front of me, as well. I'm happy I reached it again.”
Predictions
Rangers can win, but complacency could go against them.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams might stay under six.
If Hurricanes win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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