And now we sit and wait

That being said, I don’t think there’s any way they can recover from that meltdown in game five. It was a Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon esque boot right to the babymaker.

I don’t think we win the series, but I do think we win tonight. We’ve been absurdly good after those types of losses.

I voted…but what I want and what we’re going to get is pretty much wishful thinking. We never get that lucky…oh well sit, wait and see….my its nice being ‘off’ until potentially Thursday…still on Cloud 9 but with more of haze of reality now.

I voted for the last option. Nashville is the easier draw, of course, but i also kind of want to face Detroit so we can beat them and say “What now, doubters!”

Here.

I’m mostly just hoping everyone goes to a Game 7. LA blew their chance last night to force a Game 7, but I’m hoping Nashville takes care of their business tonight. The more tired everyone else in the West is, the better it is in the long run for the Sharks.

I’m also pulling for Nashville to beat Chicago. Obviously, I like them best of a potential first round opponent (no slight to them, but they are a 7 seed for a reason), We’ve had big troubles with Detroit and Phoenix in the past (even when PHX wasn’t any good). But mostly, I think it would be hilarious for Chicago to lose in the first round.

I’m not sure Nashville is the easy draw. Of the three, they seem like the least likely to cause serious problems, but I wouldn’t expect them to be easy by any means. Phoenix would be annoying though, we all know it. We have issues with them normally and if they have a round 1 win under their belt they’ll be that much harder to beat. And you know, the Wings. Whatever.

If Chicago makes it, don’t they face Van? The were discussing this on NHL Live this morning. And the Hossa hit as well. Apparently the misconduct is NOT automatic and is up to the discretion of the ref, if he think the player receiving the hit suffered injuries. I think they even said to the head or neck, but I don’t recall that with confidence.

I’ve been watching Detroit/Phoenix/Nashville the past few days with the mindset of a San Jose matchup. Nashville looked very spunky and fast but this is the playoffs and honestly I feel any team could give SJ fits and really I think DET/NASH/PHX are all capable of putting SJ down just as I’m certain SJ could beat any of the three in a 7 game series. Who they play is of little concern compared to HOW they play.

My concern is with the HTML. I’m concerned with the disappearance of Patty’s game, although he seems to be quick and healthy, I’d prefer to see him finish his checks like he’s capable of, he has the physical skills to dominate nearly everyone out there but has been playing either off or soft. Joe looks panicked at times and seems to be in more of a scrambling mode and yet Clowe is the one who’s looking more like the Joe-we-know than Joe himself. Heatley may be hurting but I’ve never been pleased with his puck handling and his lack of puck pursuit passion is starting to get on my nerves. In the last Colorado game, I watched him floating around cherry-picking in the middle of the ice instead of assisting a lone Shark on the boards who was out-manned 3 to 1 and that led to a breakout and a goal for Colorado.

I expect more from these men and I hope we see some positive results; we’re talking about three amazing talents and it’s baffling. Mitchell is working his ass off and I don’t see that from Jumbo or Patty on that top line and if you can’t get inspired from Mitchell’s tenacity I don’t know what to say. I know Heatley is our sniper and he’ll do his share of floating in the middle but in the playoffs I believe everyone has to play with more urgency. Ok, done bitchin’. Bring on Detroit.

Go Sharks.

I actually had a dream about this – in a very weird way – over which team would be better match up. Don’t think I solved anything there, but I think we’re ready for the Wings.

The Sharks can beat any of those teams in a series – bring ’em on.

Good luck whomever it may be. Hate to see the Avs loose, but I will be rooting for the Sharks. I hope you get to play Detroit and lay an ass kicking on them!

PS: Douglas Murray

My vote.

Nashville and Phoenix will have too much momentum coming in and their speed is killer.

Detroit are on their heels. Having to win in 7 against the Coyotes? Yikes.

Other then that, I hope Chicago takes a dump and loses both games 6 and 7.

I’m hoping for Nashville for the obvious reasons Zero has mentioned a few times already; it would mean that Chicago lost and they’re the easiest matchup for us.

If not Nashville, I think i’d rather play Detroit since they’d hopefully be coming off of a tough game 7 with only a day or so to rest before Game 1 against us. I also think we’re playing great (sans html) and if there was ever a time we could beat them in a 7 game series, it’s now imo. Plus, how awesome would it be to beat Detroit in the playoffs? Even if we didn’t end up winning the cup, that would be a reward in and of itself

Phoenix kinda scares me more than Detroit lately. They’re a real bad matchup for us. Think about all the things that we hate: The trap defense, hot goaltenders, teams that are faster than us (poor Murray). Phoenix are MASTERS of the trap defense, and with Dave Tippet at the reigns you can bet that they’ll execute it against us MUCH better than Colorado did. Bryzgalov is one of the hottest goaltenders in the league, and on paper he’s another Craig Anderson except with playoff experience. Don’t count on Bryzgalov getting fatigued and making mistakes like Anderson did by game 5. Shane Doan should be back soon too.

Nashville, Detroit, then Phoenix for me.

If we draw Nashville, I’m betting that Staubitz would suit up at least once, cause things would get nasty.
I like how one series win has caused the pundits to change from awaiting the Sharks inevitable collapse to saying they have a good chance to roll out of the West.

just so you know

I am not super concerned about our top line’s lack of productivity. Opponents focus their attention and game plan against that line. Just like great hitters get shut down during playoffs because the pitchers are better and teams are focused on not letting those hitters beat them.

I think that our 2nd and 3rd lines need to continue to step up and take advantage. One of the Sharks’ biggest strength is their depths. Teams may have one or two top defensemen but not enough to keep up with the Sharks’ talent on the frontline.

I did care who we play next round. I just want to kick some ass.

I think either team would make for a great series. I don’t think pulling the Preds would make things any easier for the Sharks. Besides, if they can’t beat the Wings or the ‘Yotes now, they’re not gonna win the cup later. Go Sharks.

JR just predicted Caps/Sharks Round 4.

Work is so boring without a Sharks game to look forward to. Ugh.

WOW. Chicago up 2-1 on one of the more bizarre goals I’ve ever seen. WTF?

Oops. And just like that, 3-1….

and Boston moving on

Hawks moving on … so we are left with Wings / Coyotes as our next opponent

“Hawks win and move on. Sharks play the winner of Detroit/Phoenix game 7. Either way, it’s going to be a long, tough, awesome series. Let’s hope their game goes into triple overtime (or longer)” – Baker, FB

Looks like Chicago’s the winner of their series. So all Western Conference division leaders have won their series. We’re still waiting on the remaining series between Detroit and the Coyotes.

So you guys get the winner of that series.

I’m here to wish you guys some luck in your playoff series. So, unless the Capitals get their act together on Wednesday, I will be pulling for the Western Conference winner in the Stanley Cup this year. I really can not stand the Pittsburgh Penguins at all and root for anyone to beat them.

I have nothing personal against the Red Wings and admire their mode of operation but would rather see a different team this year. I probably like the Sharks better than the rest of the Western Conference teams but have no real hatred for any of them.

I don’t really care too much who we face next because all four teams left in the West are excellent in their own right so you’re pretty much picking your poison. At this point though, Detroit might be a better match up for the Sharks. As good as Howard has been, he can definitely be gotten to. We all know the quality of Bryzgalov, and with every game being so close I like our chances against Detroit’s goaltending more then Phoenix’s.

Mostly I think it’d be really good for the Sharks moving forward they knocked out Detroit.

I feel the Coyotes have played us so much this year that we can’t really catch them off guard with anything. All history with Detroit aside, I feel like we might have a better chance against Detroit who isn’t as familiar with our team this year. And in all honesty, is there a better way to earn the Cup than through Detroit?

Gettin off. Go Pheonix for tomorrow and as always..

GO SHARKS!

Slight tangent, but I suppose another +1 in the ‘Fuck Detroit’ column would be their organization, if I recall right, was already selling tickets to round one AND TWO before the puck dropped on the playoffs. Cocky bastards. Correct me if I’m wrong, but ‘irregardless’, Fuck Detroit.