Under Bruins
Currently occupying the final playoff spot in the East, the Boston Bruins will be without offensive leader Marc Savard indefinitely. Savard sustained a concussion after being hit by Pittsburgh’s Matt Cooke.
“I think it’s the whole team that really has to step up their game. We’re going to have to play desperate hockey from here on in,” Boston coach Claude Julien told the Boston Globe.
Boston is in the middle of a season-long seven-game road trip.
The Bruins are last in the NHL in goals scored, averaging 2.31 goals a game. They have an over/under record of 24-40 and have gone over the total only three times in their last 13 games (3-10 over/under).
Huet’s Hawks?
The Chicago Blackhawks are second in the NHL in goals scored (3.22 per game), third in the NHL in goals allowed (2.4 per game) and lead the Central division.
Despite Chicago’s success, a goaltending controversy has emerged between incumbent Cristobal Huet and rookie Antti Niemi.
Huet is 26-12-4 with a 2.38 goals against average and four shutouts. Niemi is 17-5-1 with a 2.25 goals against average and four shutouts. Niemi has the edge in save percentage (.909 vs. .898).
According to David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune, because Huet is a veteran and has playoff experience, he gives the Blackhawks the best chance to win in the playoffs.
Chicago has gone over the total seven games in a row and has allowed at least three goals in six of those games.
Cane they make the playoffs?
Yes, they are eight points out of a playoff spot with 17 games left. And yes, Justin Peters and Manny Legace make up Carolina’s goaltending duo. Still, the Carolina Hurricanes still have an outside chance to make the playoffs.
After a 5-17-5 start to the season, Carolina has won eight of nine and 12 of 15 to climb to 27-31-7. The Canes have three games in hand on seventh place Montreal and the eighth place Bruins are playing without Marc Savard.
“We’ve just got to keep winning. We’re getting closer and closer,” Canes forward Brandon Sutter told the Carolina News-Observer.
Edmonton Sp-Oilers
Edmonton has been out of contention since a 1-18-2 stretch that lasted half of December and all of January.
Oddsmakers have not been respecting the Oilers. Edmonton has not been favoured since it played the Predators on January 12. Recently, the Oilers were home underdogs against the 13th-place Minnesota Wild and the New Jersey Devils.
That hasn’t stopped Edmonton from playing the role of spoiler. The Oilers defeated Minnesota and New Jersey and have won four of five in front of their home crowd.
“It’s a fun team to play for. You know you’re not going to make the playoffs so these are your playoffs and try to be a spoiler and that’s what’s fun about right now,” newly acquired defenceman Ryan Whitney told reporters.
On the schedule
Wednesday March 10 – Vancouver Canucks at Phoenix Coyotes
The Canucks end their 14-game road trip with their third road game in four nights (sixth in nine days) against a Coyotes team that will not have played since a Saturday home game.
Friday March 12 – Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals
The Lightning, four points out of a playoff spot, play in Montreal Tuesday and Toronto Thursday before challenging the Washington Capitals and their 25-3-4 home record.
Sunday March 14 - Nashville Predators at Los Angeles Kings
After a Tuesday date with the Thrashers, the Preds play San Jose Thursday, Anaheim Friday and close out the week with a Sunday matinee against the Kings.