San Jose Sharks

Two competing theories of how the first round series between the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks will play out are somewhat explained by cruching the numbers. For the Sharks, February, March and April has been about maintaining focus while overcoming the largest streak of injuries the team has faced since the lockout. Integrating key players like Patrick Marleau on the first line, Ryane Clowe on the second line, and Grier/Cheechoo/? on the third line raises questions about how quickly they can regain an even strength scoring pace that was already below what Anaheim can bring to bear.

The Anaheim Ducks are already working the refs prior to the start of the series. Losing out to Philadelphia for the regular season team penalty minute title (1434 to 1426), those in the Anaheim camp are concerned before the fact that they might not get a majority of calls. Giving San Jose's top two lines power play opportunities is like picking out the guns to be used by your own firing squad, it is never going to turn out well.

After bedlam ensued during the last meeting between these two bitter Pacific Division rivals, resulting in 70 third period penalty minutes, there are also concerns that the game will be called tighter than many of the free flowing regular season contests. Maintaining discipline in the face of adversity has to be a critical factor in the game for the 8th seed. "Ducks in the Box" is a parody song that just might have to be made by fans in San Jose.

Each team was built from the goal out, but it is that second layer that deserves the spotlight. A pair of Norris Trophies on the Ducks blueline, vs a Norris trophy on the ice and one in the general manager's "bunker" for San Jose. Three Stanley Cup veterans who have been around the block several times were added to a Presidents Trophy winning San Jose roster, vs trade deadline acquisitions which should have been illegal in Ryan Whitney and James Wisniewski.

They key failure in each round of the playoffs for the Sharks last year was the inability of the defense to move the puck up ice quickly, jump starting the potent offense. They now have puck moving defenseman on all 3 pairings, and in Blake-Vlasic's case, they have 2. In the Sharks offensive zone the defense will look for any one of a baker's dozen of 200-pounders to set up in front of the net, be heavy on their sticks, looking to bang home loose pucks and rebounds. On the power play, Ehrhoff and Boyle are going to be very difficult to slow down, let alone stop.

The 26-29 minute time on ice average for Chris Pronger and 26-30+ minute time on ice average for Scott Niedermayer could lurch northward early in the series. Francois Beauchemin returned from injury for 2 games late in the season, but the defensive load can now be more evenly distributed between 6-foot-4 offensive defenseman Ryan Whitney and agressive in-your-face defenseman James Wisniewski. If the Sharks are looking to follow the Calgary model of last year, make intelligent dumps down low and pound on the defense early to make them tire late, it is going to be extremely difficult to accomplish against Anaheim's deep defensive corps.

This series is going to be won or lost with physical 1-on-1 battles in the corners and in front of the net, and by the skill each blueline has moving the puck. Each team has the defensive talent to get the job done on both sides of the ice, execution and shift-to-shift intensity will be key.

Even strength goals and empty net goals were used to determine the even strength figures. Power play goals were used to determine the power play figures. Shorthanded and shootout goals were not used. Patrick Marleau finished 2nd in the NHL with 5 shorthanded goals, Joe Pavelski and Travis Moen finished tied for 11th with 3. Anaheim defenseman Scott Niedermayer tied Simon Gagne for 2nd in the NHL with 4 shorthanded assists.

More details and notes will be posted with a full San Jose Sharks vs Anaheim Ducks WCQF series preview later tonight.
san jose sharks Introduction.