San Jose - Setoguchi is red hot.  Even keel for the most part otherwise.

Anaheim - Getzlaf, Perry, Ebbett, S. Niedermayer, and Wisniewski are all putting big numbers right now.

 

 

San Jose - Michalek and Nabokov need to step it up.

Anaheim - Whitney and Giguere will be counted on to refocus.

 

 

San Jose (t-7th) 3.06 goals/game 

Anaheim (14th) 2.90 goals/game

 

The Sharks have a gorgeous set of forwards that can set-up in front of opposing netminders, rush the puck, cycle low, and aid in their own end.  The defense is quick on the fly and accurate as any in the league.  San Jose only scored 11 goals and completed 3 wins (one in a 1-0 shoot-out) in the final six games. 

The Ducks' boast what could be the best line in hockey with Getzlaf, Perry, and Ryan-and it is young, with an average age of just under 22, it should be dominant for quite some time.  The 'Finnish Flash' Teemu Selanne is a bona-fide threat on the powerplay and Ebbett is proving to be a nice find, but can they find enough firepower to equal the Sharks' attack?  With 19 regulation/overtime goals in their last five games (3-1-1), there is hope.

 

 

San Jose (3rd) 2.43 goals allowed/game 

Anaheim (18th) 2.87 goals allowed/game

 

The Sharks have remained near the top, after completing a stellar defensive campaign that is highlighted by deft puck movement.

The Ducks, a mirage of their former defensive prowess intact earlier in the year, forced the movement of top-rated prospect and OHL scoring star Eric Tangradi's rights as they accompanied Chris Kunitz to the Pens in exchange for the versatile Ryan Whitney.  James Wisniewski (plus playmaking centre Petri Kontiola) was good value coming back for Samuel Pahlsson, solidifying the defense corps, exchanging a good faceoff/defensive forward for a big-time blueliner.

 

San Jose (2nd) 53.8%

Anaheim (18th) 49.8%

 

The Ducks traded away Pahlsson's team-best 53.5% mark and are left with Getzlaf and Marchant's decent if unspectacular marks of just over 50%.  Nokelainen has good promise,  but provides value over presence at this point.  San Jose boasts five everyday players that can match that, led by pickpockets 'Little' Joe Pavelski (56.3%) and Marcel Goc (58.3%).  Big Joe Thornton is over 55% too.

 

 

San Jose (3rd/1st) 33.2/27.2 per game 

Anaheim (12th/19th) 30.3/30.5 per game

 

Nabokov can afford to have slow start; the reigns on former Conn Smythe winner J.S. Giguere (or Jonas Hiller) will be short, as the Ducks will be loathe to get into a mud-slinging match.  If Giguere can refind his form of even a year or so ago, all bets are off. 

 

 Wildcards:

 

-top-end forwards and defensive depth aplenty in series, absolutely star-studded with future Hall-of-Fame names and young, brash talent.  Anaheim is less affected by injuries and Ryan, Perry, and Getzlaf are the league's top offense trio. 

 

-TRADE between clubs at deadline.  The San Jose Sharks acquired winger Travis Moen and defenseman Kent Huskins from the Anaheim Ducks for center Nick Bonino (just won NCAA championship -Frozen Four with BU), goaltender Timo Pielmeier (QMJHL-Shawinigan) and a conditional draft pick in 2009.  Moen and Huskins will undoubtedly have insight into Anaheim's locker-room, which is a huge plus during a playoff series.  The Ducks must have groaned when they lined up against their state rival on the board.

 

-special teams are in the Sharks favour, with a slight edge in PP (3rd-24.2% to Ducks' 23.6%, a tie for 4th overall), and an immense advantage on the kill.  San Jose ranks 5th league-wide with an 83.3% success rate, while Anaheim has claimed 23rd overall (79.7%).  Anaheim is penalized more frequently, so discipline will be key.  Recently: The Ducks' PK is sub-par going into the playoffs, with a 70.8% (17 for 24) mark in the past five games, while their powerplay is superb in that span, turning on six red lights in 12 chances.

 

-Thornton.  Youth and experience are BOTH on Joe's side, forget not.

 

 

 

 

 

CHILLER INSTINCT prediction:  SHARKS prevail in a hard-fought 6 games.