Nashville Predators eyeing third straight win as they host St. Louis Blues – NHL Preview
St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators might easily reach the playoffs, but who will finish atop of the other is yet to be decided.
Both these teams are equally talented and have the ability to overcome each other, but the one who performs on a given day is eventually considered as the better of the two.
The ‘who will dominate who?’ question would be answered at the end of the National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, but a matchup between these two sides on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee, will prove which team
is better at the moment.
Here is a look at both the teams.
Blues
Blue started this month pretty well by winning five of their first six games. The last five games, however, saw Blues regressing as they only won two out of five games and are currently on a two-game losing streak.
The recent defeats came against Chicago Blackhawks (3-1) and Boston Bruins (4-2).
In the first period of the game against Bruins, Blues scored two goals while allowing three, but after the five-goal period, the next period went goalless and the Bruins managed a scoring move in the final to take a decisive two-goal advantage.
Blues’ coach, Ken Hitchcock, said after the game:
"I thought we played really well that whole second period. We just couldn't get that goal even when we had all the play in their zone."
The remarks from goalie, Brian Elliott, however, conveyed more desperation. He said:
"I just think we needed to be better all around. Myself included. We need to be mad about this a little bit and learn from it."
Blues are ranked at fourth spot in the Western Conference with 79 points after 60 games.
Predators
Predators’ start to the month was not as good as their current performance.
Out of the first five games, they lost four, but recovered well to win three of the next four games.
At present, they are on a two-game winning streak after defeating Dallas Stars (3-2) and Vancouver Canucks (3-1).
Against Canucks, Predators got two goals in the second period while allowing one and scored another in the final to seal the victory.
Predators are currently placed at fifth spot in the Western Conference with 76 points after 60 games.
Coach, Barry Trotz, said of the game:
“We're at home here, and you've got to get some points... we've got a little bit of separation from eight place, but it's not enough."
Predictions
Predators might win the game.
The sum of goals scored by both the teams might stay under six.
If Blues win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.