WCQF: (2) Anaheim Ducks vs (3) San Jose Sharks | Sharks Leads Series 3-0

[Juxtaposer]

For those not paying attention at home, there’s almost no chance Thornton plays in the series.

Evander Kane is most definitely playing injured. Couture as well.

 

[Saitama]

My favorite thing about this series is that one of these franchises is getting knocked out in the first round for sure. I don't even care which. Then I'll start cheering for whatever team gets to face the winner. It's just too bad that both of these teams can't lose in the first round.

 

[c9777666]

Lot has changed since the last time these teams met in 2009 (Coaches, goaltending, most of the roster.)

Pavelski/Thornton/Getzlaf/Perry I believe are the only players remaining from that battle in '09

Sharks were heavy HEAVY favorites in this series.

This time, probably a little more even- Ducks have home-ice, but SJ winning would hardly be a shock.

Goaltending will be interesting- John Gibson probably won't play as well as Hiller did in '09, but he doesn't have Pronger/Niedermayer on the backline.

 

[Teemu Salami]

And they weren't done either, they decided to hand us a buttery soft opponent for the first round as well!

Rude. Just wait until Kase drops the mits, you'll regret it.

 

[Little Psycho]

For those not paying attention at home, there’s almost no chance Thornton plays in the series.

Evander Kane is most definitely playing injured. Couture as well.

When did Kane get injuried?

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

Lot has changed since the last time these teams met in 2009 (Coaches, goaltending, most of the roster.)

Pavelski/Thornton/Getzlaf/Perry I believe are the only players remaining from that battle in '09

Sharks were heavy HEAVY favorites in this series.

This time, probably a little more even- Ducks have home-ice, but SJ winning would hardly be a shock.

Goaltending will be interesting- John Gibson probably won't play as well as Hiller did in '09, but he doesn't have Pronger/Niedermayer on the backline.

Vlasic also was on the 2009 team that lost to Anaheim

Interesting how we've both kept some core players despite the series being 9 years apart

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

This is the series i wanted personally... as i like the matchup from an anaheim perspective.


Ducks set up behind the 8 ball and came all the way back... while overcoming a ton of injury issues.... playing their best hockey of the season going into the playoffs.

 

[Chelle]

Lot has changed since the last time these teams met in 2009 (Coaches, goaltending, most of the roster.)

Pavelski/Thornton/Getzlaf/Perry I believe are the only players remaining from that battle in '09

Sharks were heavy HEAVY favorites in this series.

This time, probably a little more even- Ducks have home-ice, but SJ winning would hardly be a shock.

Goaltending will be interesting- John Gibson probably won't play as well as Hiller did in '09, but he doesn't have Pronger/Niedermayer on the backline.

Don't forget Beauchemin!

 

[pbgoalie]

I give it 1 game before Kesler does something to cause Sharks fans to completely hate him

Assuming they do already??

 

[TaLoN]

Sharks in 6

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

From the eye test, Sharks dominated the Ducks in every meeting this year even though 3 went to shootout. San Jose has struggled against Vegas this year, who has struggled with the Kings, who have struggled with the Sharks.

Maybe a bit of Rock Paper Scissors here will benefit San Jose and Los Angeles in their first round series.

Which injury do people think is a bigger loss: Fowler or Thornton?

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

My favorite thing about this series is that one of these franchises is getting knocked out in the first round for sure. I don't even care which. Then I'll start cheering for whatever team gets to face the winner. It's just too bad that both of these teams can't lose in the first round.

That's exactly how I feel about LA Vs. Vegas! Although I definitely would prefer to see Vegas lose.

 

[Johnny Tomala]

Ducks in 7.

 

[Tokioduck]

Any team in the Pacific has a chance to advance to the conference Finals or in another word I don't think there is a clear favorite.

As for the Ducks, it is such a weird season as it feels like they have never played their best hockey and yet they have the Home advantage. What I wish is Kessler and Silfverberg to regain their forms during this round or the next then they may have chance to advance to the Finals(I'm also reying on Gibson or Miller to have a strong games, which has been the story of this season). Otherwise even if the Ducks come out from last he Pacific they will be crushed by Nashville who I believe will come out.

I have a soft spot on the Sharks as I have a lot of respect to Thornton and Pavelski. I rooted for them on the year when had gone to the Finals.

That said I am not too sure if this is the year for Sharks. If it had been the Sharks from last couple years I think they would have beaten the Ducks who still needs some time to regain their form(again I think Kes and Silf are struggling and obviously we're missing Fowler). Maybe it is that the Sharks are missing Thornton and Marleau and as a result they are also missing the passion or the hatred towards the Ducks that they had in the past(or the fans still have), which should help them to elevate their game. Obviously I can be completely wrong and I still fear Pavelski. But that's my take on this series or this year with every team having a so-so season in the Pacific.

 

[AussieCapsFan]

Sharks in 6. Awful match up because one of them has to make the 2nd round, but can't do anything about that... oh well

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Ducks in six, but rooting for the Sharks.

 

[letsgooooooojackets]

Ducks in 7. A long grueling series ended by a great performance from Gibson ended by a Getzlaf goal in OT in a thrilling battle of California, filled with comebacks, fights, storylines, and (hopefully) full stadiums (looking at you Anaheim). A great series for sure, too bad I will only see the highlights as I live in the Eastern Time Zone and can't stay up til 12-1 on weeknights.

 

[Soedy]

Sharks in 6.

 

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

Crush them, Ducks

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

From the eye test, Sharks dominated the Ducks in every meeting this year even though 3 went to shootout. San Jose has struggled against Vegas this year, who has struggled with the Kings, who have struggled with the Sharks.

Maybe a bit of Rock Paper Scissors here will benefit San Jose and Los Angeles in their first round series.

Which injury do people think is a bigger loss: Fowler or Thornton?

Ana will be tough to judge by regular season.

As for loss i would prob say thornton... because it hurts your center depth, fowler not playing sucks but that likely means you get more time with lindholm and manson on ice which is never a bad thing.

 

[CanadianPensFan1]

Don't follow either team very much.

Kane seems to have added a match to the sharks. But the ducks are always a pain.

Sharks in 7 mostly cause I don't care.

 

[caliamad]

Close series, went with ducks in 7. Can’t fathom how ducks have home ice. Don’t understand how San Jose suddenly started playing terrible to close the season. They looked scary very time we played them.

Will probably be the best series in the first round.

 

[SalsaShark]

Sharks in 6. Lot of east coasters in this thread are not paying attention to the Pacific. I don't blame them since its way past their bedtimes anyways.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I just can't believe it's been so long since these teams have met.

 

[KingsHockey24]

I hope they beat the crap out of each other.