Washington Capitals take on the regressing Montreal Canadiens – NHL Preview
Washington Capitals have somehow kept the battle for eighth spot in National Hockey League (NHL) Eastern Conference alive and they are at the moment tied with Buffalo Sabres.
However, to ensure that Sabres stay behind, Capitals need to win their remaining games in the regular season starting from the game against Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, March 31, 2012, at Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia.
Canadiens, on the other hand, have been eliminated from the playoff contention and the result of the game will not change their fate.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Capitals
They have 86 points after 78 games and are tied with Sabres for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.
Lately, Capitals have failed to show consistency, which can go against them as Sabres have maintained quite a long winning streak.
That being said, Capitals have four more games left in the regular season and if they win them all anything is possible.
In their last game, Capitals defeated the defending Stanley Cup champions, Boston Bruins. Capitals got a two-goal lead in the final period of the game, but Bruins levelled in the same period.
The game was decided in shootout in which Capitals scored three times while Bruins could score twice.
Capitals’ coach, Dale Hunter, said after the win:
"This is the heat. Everybody likes playing in the heat. It's playoff hockey. ... A team comes back late in the game, forces overtime, and you never know what happens. You always say, `That team has momentum to win the game.' But sometimes it doesn't turn
out that way."
Canadiens
They are placed at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 72 points after 78 games.
Out of their last seven games, Canadiens have lost six and are presently on a three-game losing streak with the defeats coming against Philadelphia Flyers (4-1), Florida Panthers (3-2 after shootout) and New York Rangers (4-1).
Canadiens’ interim coach, Randy Cunneyworth, said of his team:
"We worked hard and we worked the boards well and at times out-battled them. It's a quick turnaround against Washington and we've got to be as good, if not better, than we were. We've got to get some rest and go at it again."
Predictions
Capitals have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Canadiens win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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