Tampa Bay Lightning battling for survival as New Jersey Devils eye a playoff berth – NHL Preview
New Jersey Devils need to find their winning momentum back because their present performance can only help them reach the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs this season, but their progress in the postseason seems unlikely.
With just five games left for Devils to play in the regular season, they should ensure winning all of them so as to carry the positive momentum into the playoffs.
On the other hand, Tampa Bay Lightning might not be able to play in the postseason. Although they are still alive in the competition, the presence of other competitive teams in the Eastern Conference has put Lightning’s chances in jeopardy.
Devils and Lightning are going to face each other on Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Devils
They are ranked at sixth spot in the Eastern Conference with 92 points after 77 games and need a couple of more victories to officially secure a playoff berth.
Out of the last six games, Devils have lost four. In their last game, Devils defeated Chicago Blackhawks to end their two-game skid.
Devils got a lead in the first period and maintained it successfully for the most part of the game. However, Blackhawks scored in the final period to level the score. The game was sent first to overtime and then to shootout in which Devils eventually won.
Devils’ goaltender, Martin Brodeur, who stopped four of the five shootout attempts, said after the game:
"I felt good. I felt right on where I needed to be as far as my angles and controlling rebounds and seeing the puck through traffic. I missed that one when they scored. I don't even know where it went."
Lightning
They are ranked at 11th spot in the Eastern Conference with 77 points after 76 games and are nine points behind the eighth-ranked Buffalo Sabres.
Lightning have to win their rest of the games in regular season besides relying on good luck to make it to the playoffs.
In their last game, Lightning got their three-game winning streak snapped by Boston Bruins.
Lightning’s Steven Stamkos, said after the game:
"No one is giving up. Guys have gotten called up from, the American League and are stepping up and trying to prove that they can be an everyday NHL player and that's all we can ask from them."
Predictions
Devils can be favoured.
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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