The Lesser of Two Evils... Anaheim @ Detroit

by Mr. K. on Dec 1, 2008 4:10 PM PST Comment 21 comments

In Fear the Fin's inaugural edition of The Lesser of Two Evils, we ask you, dear Sharks fan, to evaluate your own core values, your own gut instinct, and your own hierarchy of evil. Tonight at the Joe Louis Arena, the Detroit Red Wings host the Anaheim Ducks (4:30pm PST). Needless to say, the matchup features the last two teams to hoist Lord Stanley's Mug... and arguably the Sharks' two biggest rivals (thanks for making our rivalry less invigorating, Turco).

The time has come, Sharks fan - you must choose the team you want to win. Would you rather see the Ducks win, or the Red Wings? What do you base your criteria on? Don't be shy - there are valid reasons for either selection. Of course, your preference tonight could easily change later in the season - and that's an honorable strategy. About the ONLY thing Sharks fans can agree on is that we don't want tonight's game to go past 60 minutes...

Mr. K.'s own breakdown follows the jump.

UPDATE = Detroit wins, 2-1 in regulation... at least it's not a 3-pointer...

Why You Should Root for the Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks are 10 points behind San Jose, and have played one more game. A win tonight only technically narrows a pretty wide gap.
The second place Red Wings have only won 3 points in their last 4 games... another loss helps them continue to slide.
A high-scoring game for the Ducks would mean further goaltending woes for Detroit (3.19 GAA for Chris Osgood... .878 SV%... Turco's going to have company if Ozzie doesn't pull it together).
Detroit is second in the Western Conference, with 34 points in 23 games. No need to have them edge closer to San Jose's #1 spot.

Why You Should Root for the Detroit Red Wings

It's Anaheim - how could you root for them?
No, seriously - never root for a divisional rival, if possible. It's a matter of principle.
The Anaheim Ducks have earned 9 points in their last 5 games... they just simply need to lose one. Can't have Getzlaf feeling all invincible now, can we?
Conditional reason = If Giguere is in net, a Red Wings victory will further stir up goaltending controversy.

Don't be shy - pontificate away, Sharks fans!

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Wings for me please...

Running away with the division so early is a very soothing feeling.

Fear The Fin: Gloating during the season, crying during the playoffs.

by That'll Cheech You on Dec 1, 2008 4:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

root for the duck

ehh, i just threw up saying that. but our lead over the ducks is big enough, if they win that pushes the red wings back. that way we have an increasing lead over the red wings and a still pretty sizable lead over the ducks.

by serrapadre716 on Dec 1, 2008 5:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

root for neither

both have upsides and downsides and it hurts HURTS to say who i would want to win. and lets hope for not OTL

by idunno723 on Dec 1, 2008 5:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

@ idunno723

Of course it hurts – and that’s the point. There is no Green or Libertarian Party here – it’s a two-party system, for better or for (much) worse.

by Mr. K. on Dec 1, 2008 6:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i can’t i cant i JUST CANT PICK ONE

I’m on the Teal Party by the way

by idunno723 on Dec 1, 2008 6:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

INFIDEL! YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Just kidding – but seriously, this could be a playoff matchup. Who would you pull for then? I’d actually want Anaheim to win so that Detroit is out of the picture, but if Anaheim could actually beat Detroit, that would mean they’re tougher than they seem…

At any rate idunno723 – pick one! Detroit leads 2-1 in the 2nd, by the way.

by Mr. K. on Dec 1, 2008 6:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I CANT DO IT

well…
I would rather play Anaheim in the playoffs though (does that count)

by idunno723 on Dec 1, 2008 6:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok, I'll give you some credit ;-)

by Mr. K. on Dec 1, 2008 6:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Whoops - make that 3rd period

by Mr. K. on Dec 1, 2008 6:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Gotta root for the Ducks, as much as it sucks. We need to pull away from the Wings. We can handle the Ducks.

If anything, gotta root for NO OVERTIME! I hate those 3 point games…

by squid2 on Dec 1, 2008 6:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed...

I want the number one seed, wait lets not get carried away now.

by mattman on Dec 1, 2008 6:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Pray - it's 2-1, Detroit...

I was rooting for Anaheim purely for strategy, but for them to get a goal, we’d need a super fast game-winner, since it’s nearing the end of the 3rd. Anaheim just has 14 shots, compared to a whopping 43 from Detroit. Anaheim just killed a power play.

by Mr. K. on Dec 1, 2008 6:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

I guess whoever wins we gain some sort of advantage, in this case it is in division.

by mattman on Dec 1, 2008 7:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Never for the ducks

Won’t do it no matter who tortures me. As I always tell people, my fave team always is the SHARKS! Second fave, who ever is playing against the ducks. More than just a division thing, it’s a Northern California vs Southern California thing. :)

by ang6666 on Dec 1, 2008 7:19 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I like your whole “second favorite” thing. I’m going to use that. With that being said, I’d rather the team closest to us in the Conference lose. Whoever that may be.
Yes I know who that means I’d currently be rooting for. No I’m not going to say it out loud.

by WillR on Dec 1, 2008 7:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's exactly it!

Gotta root for whoever puts the Sharks in best position. Simple as that!

I know it sucks rooting for Ducks, Stars, etc. occasionally, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do…

by squid2 on Dec 1, 2008 8:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like I missed out on some fun today

I’d go with Anahem just because it puts us in a better position to not face them in the first round- we can definitely win the series, but it’s going to go about six games and be extremely physical.

Detroit’s all but a lock for the Central, so them losing out on two points doesn’t do much.

I know it sucks rooting for Ducks, Stars, etc. occasionally, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do…

Sounds good to me.

Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.

by Mr. Plank on Dec 1, 2008 8:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs