2011 NHL Playoffs: San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks meet in the Western Conference Finals
by Mr. Plank on May 13, 2011 11:04 AM PDT
in 2011 Playoffs
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PrintThe Western Conference Finals schedule was released about two days ago but it stands to reason many of you missed it-- considering San Jose and Detroit were duking it out in the closest playoff series in NHL history at the time, glancing forward to the Western Conference Finals seemed like a risky endeavor (not to mention some bad juju).
With that in mind here is what the Sharks will be looking at in terms of scheduling. Adjust yours accordingly.
As is the norm, the Western Conference Finals means CSN-CA's coverage will end.
While I'm sure many of you feel like you need at least three days to decompress from the nerve-wracking-sanity-destroying epicness that was game seven at HP Pavilion last night, life provides no such luxury. The San Jose Sharks have a mere two days to prepare for their upcoming battle with the Vancouver Canucks, setting in motion what is bound to be another mentally and physically challenging series with an elite Western Conference foe.
Vancouver is a team that resembles the 2009-201 Chicago Blackhawks in many ways-- although it is clear that they do not have the ridiculous amount of offensive depth that the Hawks possessed during their Cup run, their blueline is perhaps the deepest unit in the National Hockey League and should pose a considerable challenge for a Sharks forward group that has earned rave reviews for their depth and scoring spread.
According to our friends at Nucks Misconduct, here is what you can expect from Vancouver to start game one. However, keep in mind that Canucks Head Coach Alain Vigneault may have worked at Jamba Juice throughout his college days-- he's notorious for running his squad through the ol' blender, mixing the ingredients of his lines constantly throughout the course of a game:
Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin - Alex Burrows
Mason Raymond - Ryan Kesler - Chris Higgins
Raffi Torres - Maxim Lapierre - Jannik Hansen
Tanner Glass - Cody Hodgson - Mikael Samuelsson
Dan Hamhuis - Kevin Bieksa
Christian Ehrhoff - Alex Edler
Keith Ballard - Sami Salo
The Canucks top line of Burrows and the Sedins is clearly their most dangerous unit, a great blend of players who are adept at cycling the puck and wearing down an opposing blueline. And while they have struggled to find the back of the net this postseason, a hard look at the scoring chances indicates they be poised to break out soon. Furthermore, when one considers the talent they have gone up against thus far (Weber-Suter in Nashville, Keith-Seabrook in Chicago). San Jose does not have a top pairing that matches those units in terms of shutdown ability, and will instead have to rely upon the strong team defense that has carried the day for them thus far.
Ryan Kesler is having a phenomenal postseason for Vancouver. Even though he didn't have a strong scoresheet against Chicago the chances were there, and that paid off against Nashville. He's a premier two-way player who defines what it means to be able to beat you in all three zones. Mason Raymond is an able bodied goal scorer with tremendous speed, while Chris Higgins is proving to be one of the best trade deadline acquisitions made this year.
The rest of Vancouver's forwards have a blend of goal scoring ability and toughness. Names like Raffi Torres should be familiar to many Sharks fans, while Jannik Hansen and Mikael Samuelsson all add some requisite scoring depth. The loss of Manny Malhotra to eye injury does make the unit a little less opposing, especially in the faceoff circle, but there is no doubt the team has some tools down below that makes them a little harder to match up against than Detroit all the way through.
Where Vancouver truly shines is on the backend, with probably the deepest defensive unit in the National Hockey League. Each pairing has both offensive and defensive ability, making them one of the toughest front to back bluelines the Sharks will face this postseason (trumping even that of Los Angeles). Players like Christian Ehrhoff (who Sharks fans will also remember) and Keith Ballard are the likely targets for San Jose's offensive attack, and Todd McLellan will undoubtedly attempt to get his top line out against them with the last change at home.
Kevin Bieksa, who was surrounded by trade rumors this offseason, has had an excellent bounce back year for the Canucks and brings with him a nastiness that manifests itself in some strong physical play. Perhaps the most underrated player on Vancouver's back end is Alexander Edler-- he flies under the radar much in the way Marc-Edouard Vlasic does, but possesses an uncanny knack for covering his partner's mistakes.
Roberto Luongo in net is probably the biggest question mark for Vancouver going into this series. He has a propensity to give up big goals at the wrong times, with a large amount of these situations presenting themselves against the Nashville Predators. While his "mental health" has been questioned by many outside of the organization, there is no doubt Luongo is one of the best goaltenders in the National Hockey League today. We highlighted his ability to steal a series before the postseason began, and while I may be alone in thinking this, I believe Luongo is going to have a phenomenal series in net for the Canucks. Luongo has begun to play much further back in his crease as his career has gone along which is probably the Sharks greatest opportunity this series-- he won't challenge shots like he used to, meaning San Jose will have to capitalize on their first shots (and will have much better opportunity to do so considering the angles will be beneficial). Rebounds will be handled well by the Canucks blueline and Luongo's entrenchment on the goal line means the cross-crease feed will not be as fortiutous. He'll go head to head with Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi throughout.
Vancouver is a good team in transition. Limiting turnovers, while always a necessity throughout the course of a hockey game, is essential against Vancouver. They have more speed throughout their lineup than either Detroit or Los Angeles did-- historically that has given an issue for San Jose. Furthermore, the Canucks activate their defense with aplomb and are very aggressive in the offensive zone. Their special teams are excellent, their goal scoring spread throughout the lineup.
In every sense of the word they are a team that will provide an immense challenge for San Jose. And for the second series in a row, this one is likely subject to the flip of a coin.
It's going to be an excellent matchup to be certain, one that will most certainly provide many thrills along the way.
We'll have more as the weekend leads us to Sunday.
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Hope they get plenty of rest before Sunday
They were looking pretty tired the second half of this series.
I've been slowly gathering material for this series for about two months.
I expect it to be a tough one, but I think we’re ready. I think we know…
And knowing is half the battle against these guys.
Believing in the Sharks, one photoshop at a time. GO SHARKS!
by Auth0r on May 13, 2011 11:14 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
EXACTLY! hahaha
GI JOE Pavelski will fight for freedom
ON MAY 12th 2011, WIN GAME 7 SHARKS!!!
by sharkblood99 on May 13, 2011 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
creepy shit!! lol
"Sometimes the only sense you can make out of life is a sense of humor!"
Lets Go Sharks!!! I still believe!!!!!!! 2011!!!!!!
Great preview
This should be another fun, heart attack filled series for the whole family! The depth you have up front is scary crazy – and it doesn’t help us that Manny is injured. Although he’s been skating “for fun” with the team for the third straight day, so whatever the hell that means.
Also: “I believe Luongo is going to have a phenomenal series in net for the Canucks”
Hopefully, as long your guys don’t shoot from behind the goal line!
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
"You can't come in my kitchen, kick my dog, and take a box full of ballpoints! Your ass must be crazy!"
Also Edler
Has been very hit or miss so far this post season – swinging from amazing performance to “who the hell let the guy from the beer league wear #23?”
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
"You can't come in my kitchen, kick my dog, and take a box full of ballpoints! Your ass must be crazy!"
In a nutshell, here’s how this all breaks down.
San Jose forwards > Vancouver forwards
Vancouver blueline > San Jose Blueline
San Jose goaltending = Vancouver goaltending
It’s really going to be an amazing series. And while nothing can top San Jose-Detroit in terms of one goal games, this one has the potential to top it in terms of excitement level. Physical, fast, great talent on both sides, two “choking” teams looking to go to the Cup Finals? I mean, man, the stage is fucking set.
Cannot wait.
"Now get on board going down the river float, we gonna raise a ruckus tonight" - OCMS
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Basically how I’d break it down as well, but I’d be tempted to say goaltending slightly favours us.
And you can see the headlines already: “Who is going to choke first!?!!?”
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
"You can't come in my kitchen, kick my dog, and take a box full of ballpoints! Your ass must be crazy!"
Right on cue...
All year we hear how the teams in the Eastern Conference are playing for the right to lose to the Western Conference champion in the Stanley Cup final. This year, I’m not so sure.
Both the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks, who have each blown 3-0 series leads in this year’s playoffs only to win in seven games, have plenty of question marks as they prepare to battle in the Western final. In Vancouver there are still concerns about the Sedins’ level of play in the post-season as well as Roberto Luongo’s ability to win at this time of year. Likewise, people wonder if San Jose’s Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau have what it takes to win deep in the playoffs.
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
"You can't come in my kitchen, kick my dog, and take a box full of ballpoints! Your ass must be crazy!"
Aren’t the “people wondering” just all the guys writing the articles to begin with?? I really wish journalists would just come out and say “I think this” instead of trotting out “people think” as a way to pretend to be neutral
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
"You can't come in my kitchen, kick my dog, and take a box full of ballpoints! Your ass must be crazy!"
I dont want to jinx anything
But you can’t say Luongo and Niemi are equal because one has beaten the other in the playoffs, albeit with a different team. Luongo is great but he falls asleep like those guys that get crossed up in the old And 1 mixtapes. If Niemi stays on it like in this series, i have to give him the edge. The Canucks are amazing though, I was at the game where they went to the shootout and lost 5-4. I left the arena happy anyway, because i knew that they could of beat them if it had been a playoff overtime instead if a shootout. They are both different teams now and i think the canucks not having Manny is what gives us a better than average chance of beating them in 6 or 7. Maybe Ehrhoff will get a minor injury and not be able to play some games; it would be sweet justice but i wish him no serious harm. GO SHARKS and sorry christian but i don’t love yo no mo’
by Montyburnz!...1 on May 13, 2011 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Semi is right about the writers…but what can you do. He is just writing for his market back East.
He is also right about the goalies. I get the “he’s won before” argument. To me it always flew in the face of the most basic fact of hockey, that it is a team game.
Both goalies are tremendous ( I would argue unlucky on a couple of the goals last series, not a propensity…but I am a Nucker, what do you expect right? I mean, one of a stick and then his skate and then his stick….or one on a blind backhand out from behind the net that clears it and gets punched in by the D’man…they don’t happen every day )…the one place where Lui might have it over Niemi is the amount of rebounds he lets go in front of him.
The stats favour Lui as well, for what that is worth. a 3.01 and a .906% w/ no s/o ,compared to Lui’s 2.25 and .917%.
But why you no love Hoff no mo? He was traded, its not like he asked to leave right?
I do think that the “No Manny” thing is a boon for the Nucks as a motivator off the ice, and Maxim Lapierre as someone you guys will get to know and hate in the next couple weeks.
Should be fantastic entertainment.
2 more sleeps.
Nuck’s Misconduct Bishop, 1st United Church of Luongod Mrs Waachcast speaks....Chuck Norris has a tattoo that says "Kesler". 5/9/11
I already know and hate Lapierre for his hit on Nichol last year.
Believing in the Sharks, one photoshop at a time. GO SHARKS!
by Auth0r on May 13, 2011 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
This.
GO SHARKS!!! RAH RAH RAH!!!
"That's my dummy!" - Joe Thornton, Brian Duffy
TicketMaster- Raping the world one event at a time.
So, the caterpillar has emerged from its cocoon as a shark, with a gun for a mouth.
by CloweMyWord! on May 13, 2011 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Seriously
When he got traded to the Ducks, my first thought was, “Fitting, dirty player goes to a dirty team.”
American Heroes: Joe Pavelski, Buster Posey, Charlie Coyle
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
I'm just going to agree with Plank
and say the goaltending is equal.
One of the goalies could step it up. Who knows? I don’t think we necessarily gain anything by trying to say one of the two is better at this stage of the game. :]
I'd say Niemi and Luongo
have both shown where they can be elite in their postseason efforts. Luongo was excellent last round and has had past series where he’s committed larceny, and Niemi’s had a pair of those in his six playoff rounds (Detroit, San Jose ’10).
When Niemi’s bad, he’s bad. (LAK, Philly ’10) and his teams have had to carry him, something that I have my doubts that the Sharks could do in this series. Luongo, when I watch him and his game is off, kind of gives me that Nabokov vibe of "routine save, routine save, holy ****, awesome save, routine save, great save, routine/odd shot…….wait, why the hell is that puck in the net? How did you do those saves earlier and miss that? And sometimes it snowballs on him after that.
You probably watch about 70 more Vancouver games a year then I do, though and my viewing is more geared toward his postseasons, so if I’m off, feel free to let me know.
To answer your question about Ehrhoff
I think there were a lot of Shark fans (not me, for what it’s worth) who were not fans of him when he played for San Jose. He had a tendency to flash some moments of brilliance offensively, only to inevitably fire wide on shots from the point when it really mattered. He could play a solid defensive game, but his lapses were glaring.
It seems to me that his game deteriorated under Yawney’s coaching, and burgeoned once he got to Vancouver. And so that’ll leave some bitterness in some Shark fans’ mouths, too.
The principal supporting business now is rage. -- Richard Hugo
The 'Hoff hate is pretty unjustified
Ehrhoff was a victim of cap mismanagement by the team. For his pay, he was serviceable. His resurgence in Vancouver shows all he needed was the right coaching and the right system.
Yes, he had a tendency to shoot wide and he occasionally got beat, but it’s not like he was killing puppies out here.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Yeah, I agree
And was actually not terribly excited about the Heatley deal because in effect it required us to get rid of Ehrhoff—an important part of a defense that couldn’t afford to lose such a part, I thought. Not only that, we gave him to a conference rival for pennies on the dollar.
The principal supporting business now is rage. -- Richard Hugo
I dont hate him
I find it hard to hate someone i don’t know. He just got hurt in the last game he played for us and thought it would be kind of ironic is all. Don’t ya think? The hockey gods seem to be in that kind of mood this playoffs.
by Montyburnz!...1 on May 13, 2011 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Your right Luongo is great
I can’t love Ehrhoff no mo’ because he is now a Canuck and I can’t condone that all. I got angry because i read the stupid article on NHL.com about how EA predicted it to be bruins and canucks; I lashed out. I am planning to go to game 3 with a big pot of homemade gnocchi to throw at Luongo! This just got real!lol GO SHARKS!!!
by Montyburnz!...1 on May 13, 2011 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions
hahahahahahaha
I gotcha. I respect that. Why throw the gnocchi though, its good right?
This series will build its own hate, they always do…but I like the Cali/HollywoodNorth vibe .
We’ll make sure to return the favour with some Kalakukko ( made with salmon of course ) for your Aunty
Nuck’s Misconduct Bishop, 1st United Church of Luongod Mrs Waachcast speaks....Chuck Norris has a tattoo that says "Kesler". 5/9/11
Creepy twins are creepy
Credit to whoever made the gif.
Juan "Doesn't Cheat The Game" Perez, future CF for the World Champion San Francisco Giants.
by marcello on May 13, 2011 11:23 AM PDT reply actions 6 recs
that one is well over a year old now. no idea where it came from.
Nucks Misconduct writer, queen of inter-blogging etiquette.
I also ramble on Twitter every so often.
"Where there's Kesler, there's hope." - Tink for Nucks
Yup
I remember seeing it last year. Always relevant though.
Juan "Doesn't Cheat The Game" Perez, future CF for the World Champion San Francisco Giants.
I missed this… that’s really eerie.
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
4 more wins and off to the cup baby
Here’s to a big game one steal on Sunday.
make it happen Boys.
This series is going to be exciting
I enjoyed the Wings series because the level of hockey was insanely high, but I think this matchup sets us up for more “exciting” hockey.
Of course, that choke bullshit is what the media is going to be dropping. Why they can’t come up with an original thought is beyond me. Too much work?
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Member of the Torrey Mitchell and Patrick Marleau Fan Club
They tried to come up with something original but choked under the pressure.
"Now get on board going down the river float, we gonna raise a ruckus tonight" - OCMS
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
by Mr. Plank on May 13, 2011 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 14 recs
Word.
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
@TheFourthPeriod How intense with the #Bruins #Habs PO series be? || @Noctro Like K-Y Jelly lit on fire. || @TheFourthPeriod Wow. Best. Answer. Ever.
Welcome to Fear the Fin...where we eat our own.
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by Noctro on May 13, 2011 6:22 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Niemi was amazing the past two games and I think the dude is in the zone right now, he took his game to another level and if he stays there we have a great chance of going to the finals. I think if we take care of our own end the offense will come. The first and second seed going at it again in the west and lets hope its the second seed who moves on again.
Thank God.
I don’t know what I would have done with myself if had to wait 5 months for more Sharks hockey. Props to everybody who kept the faith.
GO SHARKS!!! RAH RAH RAH!!!
"That's my dummy!" - Joe Thornton, Brian Duffy
TicketMaster- Raping the world one event at a time.
So, the caterpillar has emerged from its cocoon as a shark, with a gun for a mouth.
matchups
Forwards: SJ has 3 power lines vs Van’s Kesler, maybe Burrows, and don’t mention the Sedins (playoff pansies). edge SJ.
Defense: Van has 3 strong pairs, watchout for crushing hits by Edler. Erhoff is their most offensive weapon, Bieska is annoying. SJ has the offensive edge from the D-corps (Boyle), but Van has the shutdown edge.
Goaltending: Loungo = great w/o traffic, but fragile w/snow showers. Niemi is solid w/ 5 man defensive system help but bad on rebounds. Edge SJ (watch Loungo unravel).
Special Teams: SJ has a potent PP but there is a book on how to stop it (see WCSF games 4,5,6) written by Mike Babcock. Van has an equally potent PP (but playoff pansy Sedins must show up). PP is a wash. PK edge to SJ (because of McClellan and his adjustments).
Coaching: Vignault (sp?) bugs me, too emotional when pretending to be confident. McClellan a master coach in the making. Edge McClellan.
Series Intangibles: Pressure on Canucks. Underdog roll for SJ. Edge SJ.
Prediction: SJ in 6.
nice preview
Although I would give more credit to Luongo and the Sedins. I’m getting a bit tired of the Luongo choke label. Plus, the Sedins have been contributing good minutes. I do agree that Mclellan is a master coach in the making. I think he will be the first to tell its because he had a great mentor in Babcock.
So, do you think San Jose Detroit is a big rivalry now?
I'm warning you! I have ADHD and I know how to use it!!!
Good job Giants, now win 3 more world series titles and then you just might be worthy of being mentioned in the same league as the A's.
THAT IS NABOKOV IN NET NOT NITTYMAKISHUTUP!!!!!!!!!!
San Jose: Being Kept save from ferocious enemies by the Sharks and Earthquakes since 91 and 96.
by Diamondback15 on May 13, 2011 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Credit
I know – my negative attitude toward Vancouver is brought about by their (meaning all of Canada’s) arrogance about this team. If you feel the need to constantly build up your team by saying things like “best team in the last 40 years”, “class of the West”, “best goalie ever” Art Ross this, MVP that, it’s just bullshit and your just setting yourself up for a fall. After all, every year in the SCP we see that it’s not talent that wins games it’s battle-ability (I thought I’d throw in a McClellanism there), and perseverence, and a little luck. Play the games. The more experienced (SJ), better coached (SJ), less injured (?), team will win this series.
IMO Vancouver is 2 or 3 years away from wining a cup.
BTW…I hope we never have to meet before the 3rd round again.
I love Detroit fans bemoaning Vancouver for arrogance. That is delicious.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
"Pucks are awful little things" - Passive Voice.
by Yankee Canuck on May 13, 2011 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
+1
"I'll see you guys on the flippity flop" - Michael Scott
Nucks Misconduct's official black guy and first line center (Twitter's 1st line center also).
by Chuckles Canuckles on May 13, 2011 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Also...
I don’t think there is enough hate to be a rivalry. But maybe. If Atlanta moves to Winnipeg, and Detroit bounces over to the Eastern Conf. SJ v Det SCF matchup????
Can't even imagine how intense that would be
How many fans would survive, health-wise?
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
Shameless plug for my music.
That makes sense
How many games do Det fans have to watch that start at 9 or 10pm. Plus its time to move a team back to a real hockey fan base
Couldn't sleep
After that amazing Game 7!!! I literally could see the goals scored and saves made by the sharks, dancing on the inside of my eyelids! I am so ready for sunday and am very confident in the Sharks ability come out on top in this series. We played some good games against Vancouver during the regular season with most of them during a slump in the beginning. I look forward to some serious playoff hockey being played between these two teams.
We may not have a top pair of defense like some of these other teams but SJ’s pairing shouldn’t be taken lightly! we have great scoring ability in boyle, white and demers as well as great shutdown and physical defense like murray, vlasic and wallin! Not to mention NEMO has been play phenomenal. Next pay check is going towards authentic teal #31 jersey! to go along with my couture one!
Here's a gem from CBC....
San Jose is at the conference final stage for the third time in their history, all occuring within the past seven seasons. Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are the only Sharks to suit up in all of them.
Yes, I remember when Thornton was traded for Sturm, Stuart, and Primeau back in 04. Kind of funny then how Sturm Stuart and Primeau played for the Sharks in the 04 playoffs and not Thornton.
I'm warning you! I have ADHD and I know how to use it!!!
Good job Giants, now win 3 more world series titles and then you just might be worthy of being mentioned in the same league as the A's.
THAT IS NABOKOV IN NET NOT NITTYMAKISHUTUP!!!!!!!!!!
San Jose: Being Kept save from ferocious enemies by the Sharks and Earthquakes since 91 and 96.
I wouldn’t limit that statement to international media. Keith Jones, for instance, was making a very confident point last night in the postgame about how both Vancouver and San Jose changed captains in the offseason…saying the Sharks changed from Marleau to Thornton.
The principal supporting business now is rage. -- Richard Hugo
Ha your right I meant anyone who doesnt regularly follow the Sharks AND
I think Keith Jones is a douche
All the networks suck in dealing with facts about our team.
Last season, NHL Network showed a graphic that said we had finished no lower than fourth in the conference the previous five or so years and were first twice, even though we were fifth twice and first only once prior to 09-10.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"-Wayne Gretzky"-Michael Scott.
by SharksFanEst.1994 on May 13, 2011 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Van is somewhat overrated
They are a good team, no doubt, and your breakdown is good, because it goes into the details. I get tired of people talking about their regular season stats though. They play in the weakest division in hockey. That is bound to inflate things.
They went
13-5-2 against the PAC.
That’s the best points percentage vs your division out of anyone. Sure the NW sucking helps boost things, but they still would have been first in the league if you remove the “extra” games against the NW
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
"You can't come in my kitchen, kick my dog, and take a box full of ballpoints! Your ass must be crazy!"
Actually.... no
Take a look at the following page:
http://thehockeypool.com/cgiNew/standings1011.cgi
Look at the section “record against western strength”. It’s their record against GOOD teams, where “good” is defined as “the other teams that made the playoffs”, which is about as good a definition as you can find, right?
They were third after San Jose and Chicago.
Against league-wide strength (all teams that made the post season), they were also third.
So, basically, the big numbers were put up by beating up against weaker teams.
Sure that's one way to look at it.
But who knows what would have happened if the Canucks played more games against “good” teams? Sharks played 21% more games against “playoff caliber” opposition which is a sizeable chunk.
And also – going by that chart SJ just went through the two “weakest” teams in the playoffs vs other teams in the playoffs while Van went through #2 and #4
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
"You can't come in my kitchen, kick my dog, and take a box full of ballpoints! Your ass must be crazy!"
And also – going by that chart SJ just went through the two "weakest" teams in the playoffs vs other teams in the playoffs while Van went through #2 and #4
That’s an excellent point.
"Now get on board going down the river float, we gonna raise a ruckus tonight" - OCMS
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Yes...
Sort of shows how meaningless the regular season stats are if you can’t even count on how teams did against other GOOD teams, which has to be more meaningful than how they did against teams like the Oilers (or NJ in the first half, etc). Intangibles (like experience, past performance, injuries etc) are so important at this time of year.
Which probably explains why presidents cup winners get blown out of the playoffs so often.
And why I get really tired of announcers going all ga-ga about the Canucks this year. Let’s face it, some of the Canadian broadcasters have sounded like they wanted to hand Vancouver the cup at the end of the regular season :-)
Well obviously!
The Canadian media pretty well can’t wait for the cup to come north of the border again! :)
The President’s trophy thing isn’t as bad as it looks though. The odds were in you favour to get fairly deep if you finished first overall as opposed to anywhere else.
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
"You can't come in my kitchen, kick my dog, and take a box full of ballpoints! Your ass must be crazy!"
Haven’t we moved beyond that “they played the weakest division” crap yet?
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
Right. It’s not their fault they are in relatively close proximity to teams like edmonton, minn (not enough talent), and colorado (andy quit apparently). If those teams suck, its vancouvers job to beat up on them and stockpile points.
The Presidents Trophy is nice to point at and be proud of. But most relevant is they are still in the tournament. That means theyre good.
"Bobby Orr was available, but we couldn’t fit him in under the cap." - Todd McLellan
"BEAT DAT BEAT!!!"
by DownRUpLYB on May 14, 2011 4:19 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
As preparation to playing the Canucks
I recommend everyone play Sydney Shark. In it, you play a shark bent on destruction. You can eat killer whales. Enjoy.
American Heroes: Joe Pavelski, Buster Posey, Charlie Coyle
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
by mymclife on May 13, 2011 1:17 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
pretty cool
the game ended when I brought down a nuclear warhead and blew up the part of the ocean I was swimming in. lolz.
Yeah!
3068607 on 1st try.
Ate a lot of killer whales and brought down a bunch of aircraft.
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
Shameless plug for my music.
My fingers are severely cramped right now. But I brought down many an aircraft, all while wearing that stylish shark hat.
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
Raffi Freakin Torres
It’s going to be hard to endure that A-hole again.
We hope he gets really going
Remember’s ’06 and goes off.
Mr Plank sir, just a couple notes to help.
Mr Ballard can very well be that 5-6 defenseman. I am not going to even say that AV won’t pull that card. But he was not playing much the last series, with Rome in instead. We also have Alberts good to go, if he wants the size card. Salo is with Edler now, which seems to even him out playing with Sami.
Samuelsson had his rubber band break or something in the last series. Doubt he is even in this series, though who knows. It looked like a bad owie. Victor Oreskovich, if size is the thing. Tambellini or a black ace if it is speed.
Nuck’s Misconduct Bishop, 1st United Church of Luongod Mrs Waachcast speaks....Chuck Norris has a tattoo that says "Kesler". 5/9/11
There are few players I really dislike in the NHL
Torres is right at the top of the list. For all the talk about Matt Cooke, Torres is just about as dirty in his arrogant, head-hunting ways.
I won’t soon forget his hit on Michalek. One of the straight-up dirtiest plays I’ve ever seen. Intent-to-injure all the way.
The principal supporting business now is rage. -- Richard Hugo
Torres is at the top of the list for me! As much as I despise Corey Perry and Steve Ott, at least those two can play hockey (and pretty damn good hockey in Perry’s case), all Torres does is head/knee hunt.
I had a hard time getting any “hate” on for the Wings, they are such a great hockey team and play the game the right way. I’ll have no such issues with Vancouver.
Not sure on that one, because I did not see it.
But his hit on Seabrook was something. Hawk fans will tell you …well…basically what you did above. But he was not suspended, and Campbell even defended him ( what do you want me to suspend him for? His shoulder is down…the other guy has to keep their head up as well…. )
He has been 3rd and even 4th line minutes anyhow. He will be the third line to start this series, and it should be an interesting match up.
But, even before he was a Canuck, I liked the guy. He hits more fair then some of the dirty players in the league. Not saying he is a saint, by any stretch, but he was never suspended before the new rules came in ( and was only once for the controversial hit on Eberle that as many commentators thought was clean as it was dirty…), and always finishes his checks.
Besides you guys employ Eager anyhow, so check and mate!
;-)
Nuck’s Misconduct Bishop, 1st United Church of Luongod Mrs Waachcast speaks....Chuck Norris has a tattoo that says "Kesler". 5/9/11
Here's the hit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0KC91Wuz2k&feature=player_embedded
The view at the very end shows it best. Just indefensible—way worse than the hit on Seabrook. Still, if it were an isolated incident, that’s one thing, but the fact that this is part of a pattern by Torres is what’s most upsetting.
The principal supporting business now is rage. -- Richard Hugo
by Timorous Me on May 13, 2011 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions
The # of Free Willy and Jaws jokes
will be enough to make me sob by next weekend. ;-)
Weird History
It is well known at this point in NHL history there have been 8 teams down 3-0 in a series who forced a game 7. The team that was up 3-0 only to lose 3 in a row is now 5-3 in game 7. That much is known.
What is less well known is that before this year, all 3 years that there was a team that was up 3-0, lost 3 in a row and then won game 7, that team went on to win the Stanley cup.
1939: Rangers go down 3-0 vs Bruins in the semifinal. Rangers win three in a row. Bruins wing game 7. Bruins beat The Leafs in the final 4-1.
1945: Red Wings go down 3-0 vs Maple leafs in the final. Red Wings win three in a row. Leafs win game 7 to win The Stanley Cup.
1975: Islanders go up 3-0 against the Penguins in the conference final. Islanders lose 3 in a row. Islanders win game 7. The Islanders then proceed to the next round immediately going down 3-0 against the Flyers. The Islanders win the next 3 games to force a game 7. The Flyers win game 7 and then go on to beat Buffalo 4-2 to win the Stanley cup.
So one of us
Is going to win the cup? I’ll take those odds :)
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
"You can't come in my kitchen, kick my dog, and take a box full of ballpoints! Your ass must be crazy!"
We'll take the top half
You can have the bottom half…and no one in the media can accuse either team of choking!
The principal supporting business now is rage. -- Richard Hugo
We already knew that though
It’s called “playing in the western conference”.
by warning on May 13, 2011 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
GO SHARKS! yay!!!!!!!!
Interesting year….. teehee……. Sorry I couldnt help myself!
“Vancouver is a team that resembles the 2009-201 Chicago Blackhawks in many ways”
"Sometimes the only sense you can make out of life is a sense of humor!"
Lets Go Sharks!!! I still believe!!!!!!! 2011!!!!!!
I'll say it again
Sharks in 6.
Time for a Bobby Lou meltdown. :)
Waiting for the Cup to come to SJ since 1991...
GO SHARKS!
Find me on Twitter @njahoda
Michael Wilbon is rooting for the Canucks.
Fuck ’em
by SanFranciscoKnights on May 13, 2011 2:35 PM PDT reply actions
Wilbon
has jumped the shark.
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Banworthy.
by whine_country on May 13, 2011 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions
He doesn't know anything about hockey.
He is always wrong with his picks, so this should bode well for the Sharks.
by SanFranciscoKnights on May 13, 2011 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Nobody on ESPN
knows jack about hockey. They only talk about hockey in the context of “what’s best for the NHL” instead of the games and teams themselves.
Oh my gah
Saw Around the Horn talking about NHL final four and Bill Plaschke drones on about what the nhl needs/wants marketwise instead of the merits of the teams. Ugh. Then Dallas’s Tim Cowlishaw helped right the ship some (btw hate this show).
I do like bucci, linda cohn, and surprisingly matthew barnaby. We’ll see if he resurfaces in the playoffs after his recent incident with the law though…
"Bobby Orr was available, but we couldn’t fit him in under the cap." - Todd McLellan
"BEAT DAT BEAT!!!"
by DownRUpLYB on May 14, 2011 4:28 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Barnaby gets much respect
for being the only “expert” on ESPN to pick us beating Detroit. Linda Cohn and Bucci have jumped on the bandwagon after seeing the Sharks can handle business in a Game 7, so they get less respect from me.
by sharksfanwithajd on May 14, 2011 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Ehh
“Experts” are pressed to make picks. They aren’t psychic though. I don’t think really respect should really be based on who they chose. Besides, the years where everybody did pick the Sharks to go deep or all the way (TWSS), they bowed out early anyway.
My opinion is based more on their backgrounds, understanding, and ability to discuss the games that have already happened more than their ability to prognosticate. And if they do, to back it up with legitimate reasons. I had no problem with people picking Detroit over SJ – based on Round 1, Detroit had tons of momentum coming off a sweep of Phoenix and SJ stalled several times against a very difficult LA team NO EXPERT thought LA stood a chance in. And the series was decided on Niemi letting in one less goal than Howard.
Oh and I forgot to add LeBrun. If anything, just to counter Burnside.
"Bobby Orr was available, but we couldn’t fit him in under the cap." - Todd McLellan
"BEAT DAT BEAT!!!"
WIlbon is a huge Linden fan.
Yes I’m sure he knows Linden retired already, but the loyalties remain.
An isolated island of blue awash in a sea of teal.
Occasionally tweeting Canucks games in spanish using the hashtag #CanucksinSpanish
"They gave me a choice: jail, the army, or apologize to the judge and old lady. Of course, if I knew there was a war going on, I probably would have apologized."
by The Canuck Fan on May 14, 2011 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions
on a personal note
on a personal note… man, I’m still so relieved, happy, and grateful for how the series turned out last night. I’m not quite ready to move to this coming series yet. By tomorrow, I should be… gaaaahhhh… so nice to just relax and decompress for a day. ;]
btw~
I’ve said this before, but I think it bears repeating:
May 12th, 2011—a “red-letter day” for Sharks fans. Amazing. I think “we” crossed over a threshold or barrier with that win. :]
If any of you get a chance, the ESPN coverage of the Sharks is actually decent:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2011/columns/story?columnist=lebrun_pierre&id=6537959
if possible… it’s might even be biased towards the Sharks. But maybe I’m just not used to fair treatment. ;)
LeBrun has shown a lot of love for the Sharks all year long. You’re right, though—no complaining about fair coverage! And really, it just shows me that the guy does his homework, especially as a guy based in the east, always paying close attention to the West.
The principal supporting business now is rage. -- Richard Hugo
by Timorous Me on May 13, 2011 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions
can't watch game 3
it’s prom night. my friend is going to have to text me with updates. last year, i texted him the score as the sharks eliminated detroit. other than that, i can’t wait for this series to start.
"If you aint cheatin, you aint tryin"
I remember my Junior Prom pretty well
Owen Nolan scored from center ice in the playoffs against Roman Turek and the Blues. Scared my date half to death by my cheering =)
Here’s to more Sharks prom mojo.
"Bobby Orr was available, but we couldn’t fit him in under the cap." - Todd McLellan
"BEAT DAT BEAT!!!"
by DownRUpLYB on May 14, 2011 4:33 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
just watched
possibly the last SLNC; it’s going to be sad without those two guys, hopefully they keep doing the webshow, but if not… guess we just have to grow up and do this without them. ;)
I think they'll still do SLNC
I may have heard something along those lines towards the end of that webcast.
An isolated island of blue awash in a sea of teal.
Occasionally tweeting Canucks games in spanish using the hashtag #CanucksinSpanish
"They gave me a choice: jail, the army, or apologize to the judge and old lady. Of course, if I knew there was a war going on, I probably would have apologized."
by The Canuck Fan on May 13, 2011 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah, they said they might.
it would be nice to still get a dose of Randy and Drew going forward, at least for us Sharks fans, but if not, the Sharks themselves will have to suffice. ;)
Randy confirmed via twitter/his facebook page that SLNC will continue.
American Heroes: Joe Pavelski, Buster Posey, Charlie Coyle
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
AWWWWWWW YEEEEAAAAAAAH
An isolated island of blue awash in a sea of teal.
Occasionally tweeting Canucks games in spanish using the hashtag #CanucksinSpanish
"They gave me a choice: jail, the army, or apologize to the judge and old lady. Of course, if I knew there was a war going on, I probably would have apologized."
by The Canuck Fan on May 13, 2011 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Any word on the Fart Bandit?
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Banworthy.
by whine_country on May 13, 2011 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Coyotes fan here.
Congrats on the big series win. Thank you for taking down the evil empire. Good luck in the next round, do the pacific division proud:) I’ll be around for the series as a non-troll bandwagon jumper:)
thanks!
you guys had a bad deal this year… you were really a better team than you appeared to be in the first round. Did you all feel like the possible move had something to do with the first round loss?
I thought you were a solid, consistent, and underrated team this year (I guess that’s maybe the case with most teams till the Stanley Cup is won).
sorry for the late reply...
its hard to say… I know that the fan support was lacking largely due to the ownership situation; regardless of what others want to say and believe, it did directly impact many people’s choices on whether to go to games or not, myself included. I made it to 10 games this year, down from 20 or so each year prior. I know that my self and other SB Nation readers at FFH are just sick and tired of all of the negative attention the team gets. Without an owner the team will not be able to make a splash in FA this year to improve the roster, and most likely will have trouble even retaining the players they already had. I think the players were mainly focused on the task at hand, but I’m sure that it will impact the decisions of our many UFAs… The arena was sold out for the last month or so of the season and into the playoffs, so the support was there. They just seemed to be grotesquely outmatched against a better team. The lack of a real scoring threat really hurt this year. They had 4 lines that could really compete, but they do not have that one go-to scorer that every team needs to make it past round 1 (SJ has like 4 of them, so maybe you’d like to share?:)
From facing the Eurotwins
now the Sharks have to go against a real set of Eurotwins…
"Bobby Orr was available, but we couldn’t fit him in under the cap." - Todd McLellan
"BEAT DAT BEAT!!!"
Heniel & Danrik
Unless, of course, you’re talking about Ehrhoff’s balls.
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Banworthy.
by whine_country on May 13, 2011 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Unless, of course, you’re talking about Ehrhoff’s balls.
Jannik Hansen is Danish, and Danes are supposed to have the largest testicles in the world. I’d provide a link, but I’m on my work computer and I’d hate to enter a search like that. But I speak as a Danish-American. :-D
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
Just making that comment took huge cojones, K. ;)
It should also be noted that Raffi Torres has is a huge dick.
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Banworthy.
by whine_country on May 13, 2011 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
HI YO!!!
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
Well, you did look up NAMBLA on your work computer once upon a time…
American Heroes: Joe Pavelski, Buster Posey, Charlie Coyle
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
A "real" set of Eurotwins alright...
"All that means is that I'll be 783 years old when I catch Scotty Bowman." - Kevin Constantine
by DumbPuck on May 13, 2011 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
They keep getting creepier, too!!
"All that means is that I'll be 783 years old when I catch Scotty Bowman." - Kevin Constantine
by DumbPuck on May 13, 2011 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I wouldn’t want an over…(waitforit)…head view of that vehicle.
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Banworthy.
by whine_country on May 13, 2011 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions
AMBIGUOUS SWEDE DUUUUUUOOOOOOOOOO
Honest to Pete I’ve been referring to them by that name since at least 2007.
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
Hoooooooooooly cow, I thought Wonder Twins activated hand-to-hand!
And WTF with those dangles????
Must be a Danish cartoon.
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Banworthy.
by whine_country on May 13, 2011 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Geez... dude on the left has a bigger, um... lol... never mind!
"Sometimes the only sense you can make out of life is a sense of humor!"
Lets Go Sharks!!! I still believe!!!!!!! 2011!!!!!!
hey all
Just wanted to clarify somethin’ I saw on the Nucks Misconduct board.
The video they have posted, which many of you have probably seen (and it’s a pretty cool video)—the shark that the Orca eats, whether by itself or with the help of other Orcas, is not a Great White. The youtuber got it wrong when he posted the video in the first place. The shark the Orca eats is still pretty big, but it’s one of the less dangerous varieties of sharks.
I’m an amatuer naturalist of sorts with experience identifying animals in the field, and I’m attuned to subtle diffs between species.
If you want to confirm this for yourself, just go to the blog that the Nucks Misconduct ppl probably got the orca/shark video from.
http://www.wildanimalfightclub.com/lion-fight-tiger-vs-gorilla-attacks/bid/10467/
Look at the nose shape of the Great White in the photo at the top of the blog, and then look at the nose shape of the shark in the video. They are most certainly not the same. The Great White has a triangular, conical nose placed firmly ABOVE the mouth, which is much with many teeth, while the shark-in-the-video’s nose is merely an extension of its body and the mouth is sort of an afterthought and doesn’t disrupt the shark’s overall body.
It’s still a cool video, and I find it fascinating, but the Orca is NOT eating a Great White. hehe. :p
by anduriliam on May 13, 2011 5:59 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
I shall repost this, if anyone cares
on a new thread so more ppl have a chance to see it. It probably doesn’t matter much that I’m making this correction, just thought I’d put it out there. ;) It’s a “mojo” correction, perhaps.
I'll rec this
I’m trusting your naturalist abilities.
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
haha, thanks
in case I’ve risked pissing off any Nucks fans, I think you’re Orcas are also probably safe from Great Whites, unless, of course, the Orca is a dead carcass. In that case, the Great White would probably go to town on it. ;)
I posted a "correction"
on the most current Nucks board, just so they know and can change it if they want (it would be hard to, bc the video is a youtube vid with a faulty title, but they COULD issue a disclaimer). :p
I wouldn’t be surprised if no one believed me, or if some didn’t, over there (I’m “used” to it). But I was quite respectful in how I did it.
~Wil
_
I’ve heard people say it was actually a lemon shark. I supposed I can see how people get that mixed up.
Imo, video isn’t really clear enough to show much.
"Though that reminds me of a quality razor and mr. t story
he said once nellie was freaking out in locker room telling them how badly they sucked in first half. And he was so made he didn’t realize he hadn’t zipped up from his pee and his junk was hanging out." -Tafkasam
by Badly Browned on May 13, 2011 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions
I really hate that all the games that would normally be at 7:00/7:30 have been moved up to 5:00/6:00 just to accomodate the East Coast.
"NO PANTS, ALL CAPS." - ninakix
by In Bust we Trust on May 13, 2011 6:34 PM PDT reply actions
Also think it's kind of lame, but
this means more people will watch, which is good for the NHL, which is good for hockey.
There are Sharks fans living on the East Coast that have to go to work on Monday!
"When it rains, it pours." -- Morton's Salt
by Will Bulldozer on May 13, 2011 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Banworthy.
by whine_country on May 13, 2011 7:46 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Way too young..
UP THE PUCKS!
"This is a good time to come together and raise our middle finger in the air." - Dan Boyle
by TheSoundOfHockey on May 13, 2011 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
The hell? He was only 28.
Liftetime president of the Darren Turcott Q-Tip Dexterity Awareness Foundation
finally caved in, as @shampeon on the Twitternet
As was Tom Cavanagh. Very different players, and probably very different reason for their deaths, but it’s a sad year. Coming on the heels of Probert’s and Martin’s death too. What’s next?
Fear The Fin = Man goes into cage... Cage goes into salsa... Shark's in the salsa... Our shark.
Cavanagh came to mind immediately for me.
As in that case, I suppose in the days ahead we’ll get more information and speculation. Of course, we may never know.
But it is indeed sad, and a tough day for Minnesota fans who cared about both him and Harmon Killebrew, who resigned his fight against cancer today.
Gives us pause.
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Banworthy.
by whine_country on May 13, 2011 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions
what...
could his death been partially attributed to too many hits to his head?
"When it rains, it pours." -- Morton's Salt
by Will Bulldozer on May 13, 2011 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions
If he died from complications from a hockey fight, well, I’ll never cheer a fight again, ever. I’ve been souring on them for years, but a tough-guy sideshow with a body count is morally indefensible.
Liftetime president of the Darren Turcott Q-Tip Dexterity Awareness Foundation
finally caved in, as @shampeon on the Twitternet
I really don’t think that’s the case. Else, MMA guys would be dying left and right.
UP THE PUCKS!
"This is a good time to come together and raise our middle finger in the air." - Dan Boyle
by TheSoundOfHockey on May 13, 2011 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions
With MMA and boxing, at least the point of the whole sport is to spar. Whatever you think of fighting in hockey, it’s extra-curricular.
Liftetime president of the Darren Turcott Q-Tip Dexterity Awareness Foundation
finally caved in, as @shampeon on the Twitternet
Also, there is no union for MMA fighters. There very well may be significant health problems among MMA guys, but since every fighter is pretty much out for himself, I doubt you’re going to hear much about fighter safety.
I know this is a couple of levels of off-topic, so I’ll shutup now.
Liftetime president of the Darren Turcott Q-Tip Dexterity Awareness Foundation
finally caved in, as @shampeon on the Twitternet
The Statistics aren't on our side when playing Vancouver
- Luongo with a 0.96 GAA vs. the Sharks this season
- Canucks won 3 of 4 the meetings during regular season
BUT Ryane Clowe has the most individual goals when these 2 teams face each other at 3 goals. And he has been on fire this post season.
Lets hope we are a better team when facing these guys.
SF 49ers. SF Giants. SJ Sharks. CHI Bulls.
Ryane Clowe is a Bastion of All That is Man.
GO SHARKS!!! RAH RAH RAH!!!
"That's my dummy!" - Joe Thornton, Brian Duffy
TicketMaster- Raping the world one event at a time.
So, the caterpillar has emerged from its cocoon as a shark, with a gun for a mouth.
by CloweMyWord! on May 13, 2011 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions
The regular season tilts are relevant
But the playoffs are a different story. People were making a big deal of the Sharks recent edge on the Wings from the past two seasons and they responded with a russo-swedish middle finger to that to force a game 7.
These teams now have had similar paths to the WCF. 1 & 2 seeds. Two 3-0, then game 7 series. Two tough series against scrappier underdog teams most pundits discounted.
We were treated to the best regular season game earlier by this team, but in a 7 game series, gameplanning and adaptability become more important.
Stop Burrows (the way he plays with them, he’s practically the Sedin’s brother from another mother). Stop Kesler. Luckily, the size of SJ helps in that regard. I think how they do this’ll be the key to SJ’s success.
"Bobby Orr was available, but we couldn’t fit him in under the cap." - Todd McLellan
"BEAT DAT BEAT!!!"
by DownRUpLYB on May 14, 2011 4:58 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
The Sharks are a pretty different team now than the team that played the Canucks most of the times they met.
And I don’t mean that in a figurative sense, really. The Canucks and Sharks played on Nov. 26th, Jan. 3rd, Jan. 20th, and Mar. 10th. The first two of those games White, Wellwood, and Eager weren’t on the team (and White wasn’t there until the final game).
The first game was when Niemi was at his most armless and Demers was out (with us rolling 7 D using Joslin and Braun in his place); it was the only blowout.
The second game was right in the middle of January’s 6 game losing streak and Pavelski was out.
The third game was the one we won just after having picked up Wellwood and Eager; this looked most like the current Sharks roster with the only missing major piece being White.
The fourth game was an epic and the Sharks were buzzing close to the win while Nichol and Boyle-less.
The Canucks are going to be a challenge, no doubt. But the regular season faceoffs haven’t seen either team as it is now. Luongo only played in two of the games, making it easier for him to keep his GAA down, where Niemi played all four and had to wear the 6 goal anchor from when the team wasn’t clicking at all. The regular season stats are slightly misleading because of all those changes and the fact that the Canucks and Sharks saw each other mostly before the All-Star Game.
Believing in the Sharks, one photoshop at a time. GO SHARKS!
Yep
And in that Mar 10th game the Canucks were without two of the top 3 defenseman in Bieksa and Edler as well
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
"You can't come in my kitchen, kick my dog, and take a box full of ballpoints! Your ass must be crazy!"
Sharks in 7.
Vancouver has the edge on the back-end, but it’s a wash in net and I think we are deeper. I get the sense that this is going to be another long series.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"-Wayne Gretzky"-Michael Scott.
by SharksFanEst.1994 on May 13, 2011 9:36 PM PDT reply actions
Hello Sharks fans
I would like to wish you luck in the upcoming series but that would be a lie. I do look forward to some good hockey between two evenly matched teams.
I feel like Sharks and Nucks fans are similar in that our teams have broken our hearts many times over, and we have to put up with the media and other teams fans talking shit all the time about underachieving etc….. blah blah blah which I am sure we have all grown tired of. At least one of us will make it to the big dance, and if the 1 and 2 seeds make it to the conference final people can’t say either team choked.
Ryan Kesler for MVP
Thank you, going to be a tough series
Kind fans from other teams are always welcome. We also appreciate it when the kinder ones, like you, who come here for discussion, help moderate those who claim to root for the same team as the kind ones, but turn out to be trolls.
We would expect to do the same, should we visit the forums of opposing teams.
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
Shameless plug for my music.
Nuff said:
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
@TheFourthPeriod How intense with the #Bruins #Habs PO series be? || @Noctro Like K-Y Jelly lit on fire. || @TheFourthPeriod Wow. Best. Answer. Ever.
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