Surging Los Angeles Kings seek domination over Boston Bruins – NHL Preview
After gaining supremacy in the National Hockey League (NHL) Pacific Division, Los Angeles Kings are certainly feeling more confident as they can now easily qualify for the playoffs. However, their playoff berth is still not guaranteed and they need to ensure
victories in the remaining games of the regular season.
Kings are going to host the defending Stanley Cup champions, Boston Bruins, on Saturday, March 24, 2012, at STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, California.
Bruins have not been consistent from the last two or three months and this attitude cannot bring them the glory once again. They could reach the postseason, but might not be able to do well there if they keep on repeating their flaws.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Kings
Presently on a six-game winning streak, Kings are leading the Pacific Division and ranked third in the Western Conference with 86 points after 74 games.
The recent victories came against Chicago Blackhawks (3-2 after shootout), Detroit Red Wings (5-2), Anaheim Ducks (4-2), Nashville Predators (4-2), San Jose Sharks (5-2) and St. Louis Blues (1-0 after shootout).
Kings’ goaltender, Jonathan Quick, said after the victory against Blues:
"At the end of the day we got two points here, we need to get that every time we come out and that's our goal. We got that tonight so we'll enjoy it for another couple minutes and then move on to Saturday against Boston”
He added:
"That means nothing if we don't win on Saturday. We know what it's like out there, and we know how tight it is."
Bruins
They are ranked at second spot in the Eastern Conference with 87 points after 73 games.
Bruins have played 12 games this month and lost seven. In their last game, they were defeated by San Jose Sharks.
Sharks scored a goal in the first period and added another in the final. Bruins got their only scoring move of the game in the final period.
Bruins’ coach, Claude Julien, said after the loss:
“We had a lot of players on the top lines looking sluggish. That makes it tough to generate anything. Even when we had the puck, they came at us and took away our space."
Predictions
Kings might carry an edge over Bruins.
The sum of goals scored by both teams could be six or more.
If Bruins win, the winning margin will be two or more goals.
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