Round One: Anaheim @ San Jose

On this one, unlike the Montreal series, I don't see doom and gloom descending on San Jose.

They got surprised, for sure, but I feel that it shouldn't distract them too much from their ultimate goal

I see your point Bee. Game #2 at the Tank will tell a lot in terms of whether the Sharks can regain their touch and form; otherwise, Anaheim may end up taking the collective wind out of their sails permanently and dictate the rest of the series.

Cronie wrote:I see your point Bee. Game #2 at the Tank will tell a lot in terms of whether the Sharks can regain their touch and form; otherwise, Anaheim may end up taking the collective wind out of their sails permanently and dictate the rest of the series.

Both teams are way too talented for one to dominate the other. It's been back and forth all year long for these two.

Seven games sounds about right.

Excellent DTR. I am starting to think I may wish to change my previous prediction of Anaheim in 6...

Barring the events of one team suffering a critical or several injuries to key cogs, or stumbling beyond comprehension, I do see your point about the unlikelihood of one team completely anihilating the other with minimal resistance.

Cronie wrote:Excellent DTR. I am starting to think I may wish to change my previous prediction of Anaheim in 6...

Barring the events of one team suffering a critical or several injuries to key cogs, or stumbling beyond comprehension, I do see your point about the unlikelihood of one team completely anihilating the other with minimal resistance.

IMHO we could see one or more OT games in this series...much as we did in Sharks-Stars marathon last year.

Getzlaf's coffin-nailer last night came because SJ was pressing for the equalizer...they left space in the middle of the ice. Getzlaf used it to make his play and shot when he sprinted out of the box.

There were more than a few really close chances and wild bounces around both nets...momentum is SUCH a big factor.

Great playoff hockey.
:D:

Excellent postgame quote from Sharks coach Todd McLellan:

"There's free ice and ice you have to work for. We've got to work for that important ice."

davetherave wrote:Excellent postgame quote from Sharks coach Todd McLellan:

"There's free ice and ice you have to work for. We've got to work for that important ice."

Hmmm. There was free ice in that game? Didn't see much white to be frank.

504Heater wrote:

davetherave wrote:Excellent postgame quote from Sharks coach Todd McLellan:

"There's free ice and ice you have to work for. We've got to work for that important ice."

Hmmm. There was free ice in that game? Didn't see much white to be frank.

Exactly...that's what McLellan meant. cool)

I stand by my SJ pick. I can't see SJ being worse, and I can't see Anaheim being better.

I stand by Anaheim stunning the Sharks; although I'm not sure HOW deep they'll go in the end. 3rd...MAYBE...

If Hillier keeps standing on his head, who knows?!?

davetherave wrote:

504Heater wrote:

davetherave wrote:Excellent postgame quote from Sharks coach Todd McLellan:

"There's free ice and ice you have to work for. We've got to work for that important ice."

Hmmm. There was free ice in that game? Didn't see much white to be frank.

Exactly...that's what McLellan meant. cool)

Oh, I get what he meant now. He meant that as soon as Thornton and Marleau decide to get their noses dirty, then the Sharks will have a chance.

Well...it better happen tomorrow night - or there's gonna be blood in Jose.

I dont see how people cna blame Thornton here, he was all over the ice, was doing other things to help the team win and tried to create. Its Marleau that is the no show, the captain, and the under achiever.

If people say this is Thornton's fault they need to watch the game a little more carefully.

I'll say it again, Marleau the future Hab.

Neely4Life wrote:I dont see how people cna blame Thornton here, he was all over the ice, was doing other things to help the team win and tried to create. Its Marleau that is the no show, the captain, and the under achiever.

If people say this is Thornton's fault they need to watch the game a little more carefully.

I'll say it again, Marleau the future Hab.

It's early yet, but at some point Thornton's gonna have to life the Sharks.

Marleau as well. Both of these guys have to shake it off a bit and open the ice up.

Gonna be tough with guys like Getzlaf, Marchant, Perry etc. etc. etc. though.

Nice play by Thornton to save a goal last night though.

Cue the Spezza for Thornton rumours again.

dennycrane wrote:Cue the Spezza for Thornton rumours again.

Neely4Life wrote:I dont see how people cna blame Thornton here, he was all over the ice, was doing other things to help the team win and tried to create. Its Marleau that is the no show, the captain, and the under achiever.

If people say this is Thornton's fault they need to watch the game a little more carefully.

I'll say it again, Marleau the future Hab.

If Celine buys Le Canadien you can take that to the bank LOL

Neely4Life wrote:Thornton isnt the choker, the guy who wears the "C" in SJ is. All skill, no grit and this is why I said in November to a few people here is why SJ would be out latest in the 2nd round, and it might even happen in the 1st.

Ottawa Senators of the West.

For a while, Marleau was tied with Iginla for most playoff goals since something like 2001-2002.

Also, he had 100 hits this season. He's a good player. Sharks also have grit in the form of Vlasic, Murray, Clowe, Grier etc.

The series ain't over yet.

Here's what the Sharks' "Fear The Fin" fan blog has to say:

Honeymoon's Over, Folks

by Mr. Plank on Apr 16, 2009 10:44 PM PDT in 2009 Playoffs

If anyone is Chicken Littling right now you don't even know how to tie your shoes.

Get a grip. It's called a seven game series for a reason.

Frankly, I don't think the Sharks played too poorly. We get a crossbar to play ball and help us out? We're sitting pretty. Momentum changes.

I didn't like our power play's entrance into the attacking zone however. No speed in the neutral ice- that forced San Jose into either chipping the puck deep (where the Ducks defensemen did a great job of shutting down our low cycle) or getting caught at the blueline (where the Ducks forwards would get into passing lanes and pounce on the puck carrier). We made life easy on the Ducks in that department.

As for matchups, I hate to play coach. There's a reason Todd McLellan guided the Sharks to a Presidents' Trophy and I'm a writer with an obscene amount of body odor.

However, I think that our top line needs to see easier minutes, especially when we have the last change at home.

Roll out a shutdown line against Getzlaf & Co. I've been an advocate of Moen-Plihal-Grier, but Goc in the center would work for me as well.

It will help to get the top line easier minutes, because they were completely nullified tonight.

Outplayed, frankly.

If Calgary taught us anything last year, it's that dropping the first game at home is brutal for the fanbase. But it's not the end of the road.

This isn't drinking the kool-aid. It's reality.

Go Sharks.

http://www.fearthefin.com/2009/4/16/841143/honeymoons-over-folks