Columbus Blue Jackets favourites against New York Islanders – NHL Preview
The lowly Columbus Blue Jackets have registered a notable surge towards the end of the National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, but they are still eliminated from the playoff contention.
However, as they play their last game of the season, they are favourites to end the season on a positive note after beating the New York Islanders, who are also out of the playoff contention.
The Islanders are more miserable than Blue Jackets, but the former has also won quite competitive games recently and the Islanders also want to win their last game of the season.
The matchup will take place on Saturday, April 07, 2012, at Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio.
Let’s take a look at both teams.
Blue Jackets
They are placed at the bottom of the Western Conference with 63 points after 81 games. However, they have won four of their last five games and the victories came against quite competitive teams some of which have also qualified for the playoffs.
The recent win came against Colorado Avalanche. Columbus scored twice in the first and period second period respectively and got a goal in the final period. Avalanche, on the other hand, could only score a goal each in the first two periods. The final score
settled at 5-2.
Blue Jackets’ forward, Cam Atkinson, said of the team:
"One more to go. It would be nice to finish the season off on a high note. The last month or so we've been playing for pride and trying to play some good hockey."
Islanders
They are ranked at 14th spot in the Eastern Conference with 79 points after 81 games.
Islanders have won four of their last seven games. In their last game, they defeated the Winnipeg Jets to snap their three-game losing streak.
Jets and Islanders went neck and neck throughout the regulation and the game was decided in favour of Islanders, thanks to their go-ahead goal in the final minute of the third period.
Islanders’ coach, Jack Capuano, said after the game:
"We should've been a lot better at home. We were good on the road but not good enough at home. Our mission going into next season has to be to get better every day."
Predictions
Blue Jackets are favourites.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might be six or more.
If Islanders win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.