Washington Capitals eyeing safe zone as they take on Carolina Hurricanes – NHL Preview
Washington Capitals can achieve their goal of reaching the safe zone so as to qualify for the playoffs, but consistency is the key for both reaching among the top eight teams of National Hockey League (NHL) Eastern Conference and retaining that position.
On the other hand, Carolina Hurricanes, who have displayed a few promising performances lately are badly struggling to recover from their slump.
Both these teams are going to face off on Monday, February 20, 2012, at RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Here is a look at both the teams.
Capitals
The Capitals have played two of their present four-game road trip, winning one game and losing the other.
Currently placed at 10th spot in the Eastern Conference with 63 points after 58 games, Capitals are just one point short of eighth-ranked Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Capitals have lost four of their last five games with the recent defeat coming against Tampa Bay Lightning.
In order to be in the safe zone, Capitals have to ensure good performance both in terms of offence and defence.
After getting the defeat against Tampa Bay, Capitals’ goaltender, Tomas Vokoun, remarked:
"We want to win. This was a winnable game, and we didn't get it done. I don't think anybody can be happy about that. We played the game to the strength of the other team and we got beat."
Hurricanes
It’s been a long time since the Hurricanes have improved their ranking, which has made the players dejected.
The Hurricanes are placed at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 55 points after 59 games.
Their two-game winning run was snapped recently by New York Islanders.
The Hurricanes gave a tough time to the Islanders for the first two periods, but the latter scored the go-ahead goal in the final period and prevented the former from scoring any goal.
During the game, Carolina’s goaltender, Cam Ward, left the rink after receiving an injury.
Hurricanes’ captain, Eric Staal, said after the game:
"Any time you lose a player like Cam, it's difficult. But I don't think that was the difference in third period. I thought Petey was pretty good. He made a couple of 2-on-1 saves and battled hard in there for us. We just didn't have quite enough.”
Predictions
Capitals will win.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams will stay under six.
If Hurricanes get a victory, the winning margin will be more than two goals.
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