Winnipeg Jets ready to host Philadelphia Flyers – NHL Preview
Winnipeg Jets are having a wonderful time and if they continue to enjoy their stay on the rink, they would soon reach the safe zone from where they can qualify for the playoffs.
A victory against Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, might place them among the top eight teams of National Hockey League (NHL) Eastern Conference.
However, Flyers are also not going to be an easy opponent, but their recent run certainly favours Jets.
Let’s have a look at both the teams.
Jets
The Jets are placed at ninth spot in the Eastern Conference with 64 points after 61 games and have handsomely paved their way to reach this far.
Currently on a three-game winning streak, Jets have beaten Minnesota Wild (4-3 after shootout), Boston Bruins (4-2) and Colorado Avalanche (5-1) recently.
Against Avalanche, the first period went goalless, but Jets scored three goals in the second period, while Colorado only got one.
In the final period, Jets scored two more goals to seal the victory.
Jets’ forward, Blake Wheeler, said:
"I've had some experience with these playoff runs and having to kind of battle to the very end to get in and I'm telling you, if you end up getting in the tournament, playing in these close games like we are right now, and you're having success in them,
anything can happen. That's the goal right now."
Flyers
As far as ranking is concerned, Flyers are well within the safe zone.
They are placed at fifth spot in the Eastern Conference with 71 points after 58 games, but their performance has remained on and off throughout this month.
Out of nine games played in February, Flyers have lost six with the recent defeat coming against Pittsburgh Penguins.
Flyers were leading by the end of first period, and the score was levelled when the second period ended. After the final period, they were two goals behind the Penguins.
The final score settled at 6-4.
"We can be better in a lot of different areas and (goaltending) is one of them," Flyers’ coach, Peter Laviolette, said after the loss.
Predictions
Jets will win.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams will exceed six.
If Flyers’ win, the winning margin will be two or more goals.
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