Ducks-Sharks Finale
By Sean
The last edition of the Anaheim Ducks-San Jose Sharks rivalry for the 2011-2012 season takes place Wednesday night in the Honda Center. NBC Sports Network will be in the house as the Ducks, who have already won the season series against the Sharks for the first time since the 2007-2008 season, will try for their fifth win against the Sharks this season. Here are some things to look for:
1. Gone Fishing:
The Ducks have possibly played their best hockey against San Jose this season. Which is bitter sweet because while the Sharks continue to compete for a playoff spot, the Ducks are almost completely eliminated from the playoffs and would need a miracle to make it now. However, even though the season will be over soon, the Ducks will be able to hold this over the Sharks heads until next season. That’s always a nice thing to say to those pesky Sharks fans.
2. Pacific Division truly anyone’s division to win:
The Sharks were idle last night but remained in first place Tuesday night only because nobody else in the division played as well. The Sharks are first and have 88 points. Both Dallas and Phoenix are tied for second with 87 points, Dallas plays at Edmonton tonight while Phoenix is idle. Los Angeles is in fourth with 86 points, Kings are idle tonight.
3. Spoiler:
If the Ducks win in regulation, the Sharks will stay at 88 points. Which means, if Dallas wins, Dallas will take the top spot in the division and the third seed in the conference. The Sharks would then drop to seventh. They couldn’t drop farther than that tonight because of Phoenix not playing tonight with 87 points and if Colorado won and got to 88 points, the Sharks would hold the tiebreaker over them.
4. BONINOOOOOOO:
I’ve been impressed with this young guy’s play this season. Even though he has spent a lot of time in the AHL, I think he’s made his case to be on the team full time next year. The one-time property of San Jose played his best game of the season and possibly his career last time these two teams met. He had three assists, his first three assist game of his career, in a Ducks 5-3 win at the tank.
5. Teemu continues his record-breaking performance:
It seems like this guy breaks a record every night he plays. In the last game, Teemu scored his 248th power play goal and moved into fourth place all-time in power play goal scoring. Every game, we get a chance to watch this legend and enjoy every moment. He will decide in July again whether or not to comeback, but until then, let’s just sit back and watch!
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