Vancouver Canucks favourites against Edmonton Oilers – NHL Preview
The Vancouver Canucks had their six-game winning streak snapped in their last game against Calgary Flames, but they cannot be underrated in front of the Edmonton Oilers, who are eliminated from the playoff contention.
Canucks and Oilers will face each other in their last game of the regular season on Saturday, April 07, 2012, at Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Let’s take a look at both teams.
Canucks
They are leading the Western Conference with 109 points after 81 games and are tied with the Eastern Conference leaders, New York Rangers, in terms of most points.
In their last game, Canucks were defeated by Flames. Before the defeat, Canucks had won six games in a row.
Against Flames, Canucks scored a goal in the first period and successfully secured the lead for the first two periods. However, they gave away three goals in the final period while scoring only one to lose the game.
Canucks’ coach, said after the game:
"Obviously, at 1-0 we had some opportunities to get the second goal and we didn't. That power play had the opportunity to score for us. It didn't. Sometimes that happens. We'll just have to start another streak."
Canucks’ defenseman, Kevin Bieksa, commented on the team’s chances for clinching the President’s Trophy this season:
"That's not the be-all, end-all, to win the Presidents' Trophy. We're trying to win our conference, which we're in good shape still. We want to finish our last game against Edmonton, finish on a good note there, and you never know what's going to happen
with New York.
"We take care of our end ... we'll be happy."
Oilers
They are ranked at 14th spot in the Western Conference with 74 points after 81 games. Oilers have lost four out of their last five games and are currently on a two-game losing streak with the defeats coming against Los Angeles Kings (2-0) and
Anaheim Ducks (3-2 in overtime).
In their game against Ducks, Oilers scored the first goal of the game in the second period to take the lead, which was soon taken away as Ducks scored two goals in the same period.
Oilers levelled the score in the final period and forced the game to overtime in which Ducks scored a goal and won.
Predictions
Canucks are favourites.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might be six or more.
If Oilers win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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