Scouting the Enemy: Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks

Mar 20, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) makes a save on San Jose Sharks left wing Matt Nieto (83) during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

The Anaheim Ducks make a quick trip to northern California, visiting a Pacific Division foe and California rival in the San Jose Sharks. This game is the fourth game of a six-game California swing for the Ducks, who are 2-1-0 thus far and 14-5-5 on the season, good for second in the Pacific Division and tied for the most points in the league, with 33. The Sharks, on the other hand, have lost their last four games, scoring just six goals in that span. This is the fourth game of a six-game homestand for the Sharks, who are 0-1-2 thus far. They are 10-10-4 on the season, sitting four points out of 8th place in the Western Conference. It seems that the team is somewhat scrambling after last season’s playoff debacle, where the Sharks became the fourth team in NHL history to lose a series when they were up 3-0.

The Sharks have been a perennially successful team: they have made the playoffs each season since the 2003-2004 campaign (10 seasons), which is second only to the Detroit Red Wings’ 23 consecutive postseason appearances. Their success gives them exposure, and the Ducks are familiar with their opponent up north, considering they both inhabit the state of California. However, to get an even better understanding of the Sharks, I asked questions to Felix Chow. Felix is a staff writer at Blades of Teal, the site that covers the San Jose Sharks at the FanSided network. Here, Felix answers questions about the changing of the guard in San Jose, one of the most underrated defensemen in the game, the progress of one of San Jose’s promising rookies, and what is different between last season’s team and this season’s team.