Tonight's the night. Here in the West we have two teams that over the past few years have been thought of as tough regular season teams, teams that should go on to win the cup. However, in one way or another they have blown it in some way, shape, or form, against teams they should beat. When all is said and done this year, one of these teams I believe will not only prove they've moved on but get a chance to play for the cup.
Vancouver Canucks: The Canucks road would start with a 3rd rematch against Chicago Blackhawks. Vancouver not only wanted to prove a point in this series, but also wanted to get rid of some demons. Now this Blackhawks team was no where close to being as in depth as we saw over the past two seasons. They were lucky to make the playoffs and we all thought they would lose in 5 games or less. That almost came to pass as the Canucks dominantly took an easy 3-0 lead in the series. Then something happened... maybe the Blackhawks remembered they have the Canucks' number and they are the defending champs. Games 4 and 5 would turn out to be an embarrassment as the Hawks won those scoring 7 in game 4 and 5 in game 5. Game 6 would be decided in overtime and the Hawks would defend their home ice in a brilliant display and move onto game 7. In game 7 the Canucks would dominate this game scoring early and getting many chances. However, they were not able to close out their rivals. In the last 2 minutes of the game the Hawks would score a short handed goal and send this thing into overtime leaving the game up for grabs. Both teams had some very good chances but in the end a turnover would lead to the Canucks finally finishing off the Blackhawks and moving onto the Semi-Finals. If Vancouver wanted to prove something, they only proved how lucky they were. You have to give the Hawks credit to push this thing to the last goal but it shouldn't of been this tough. Even sadder was how the whole city partied like they just won the cup.
The 2nd round brought in the Nashville Predators, who even now I wonder how they even beat the Anaheim Ducks. Again this is a team the Canucks should beat and again would show if they could take care of business. This time we were in for some really gritty hockey, with low goal scoring and a goaltending duel to boot. Every game would be decided by a 1 goal margin except for game 4. Two would go to overtime and though the Canucks were easily the better team, the Predators made it a series with some very lucky goals. In the end though they showed they could take care of business and finished off the Predators in game 6. Also Ryan Kessler really made his mark during this series and really showed why he's Conn Smyth material.
San Jose Sharks: Round 1 featured a classic California match up between the Sharks and the LA Kings. It really turned out to be a back and forth series but I think the game that really defined the Sharks came in game 3. At one point they were down 3-1, 4-2 then 5-3, but the Sharks kept on fighting back. Next thing you know the Sharks tie the game at 5, send it to overtime and beat... no I should say upset the Kings, on the road. After that game the Sharks would blow out the Kings the following game and finish off the Kings in 6. For me this series showed the wins they got last season against the Avs and Wings weren't by accident and they are starting to take care of business.
Round 2 would change my opinion though, as they got a rematch with the Detroit Red Wings. This series would see the closest goal margin in NHL history with every game but one, being decided by 1 goal, going 7 games. The Sharks would start off with a 3-0 lead in the series, winning two of those games in overtime and really demoralizing the Wings. Then from game 4 onward we saw a Red Wings team that not only really turn the momentum around but the mentality of the Sharks. In the next three games the Red Wings would put in dominating performances, making Antti Niemi face 40+ shots a game and really keeping the puck in the Sharks zone the entire game. The Sharks would get a couple of late leads only to blow them and the Red Wings would send this to game 7. You have to wonder will the Sharks choke again and blow a 3-0 lead? Well on game 7 the Sharks not only used their home ice advantage but they came out to play hockey taking a 2-0 lead in the first period. The game would settle a bit in the 2nd and would be pretty even, but late in the 2nd the Red Wings would cut the lead to 1. Half way through the 3rd period the Sharks would score to make it 3-1 then a minute later Pavel Datsyuk would score the goal of the playoffs to make it a 3-2 lead. You think the Red Wings would throw the kitchen sink at Niemi at the end of the game to tie it, but the Sharks did a very good job of controlling the play in the last few minutes. The Sharks would finally put an end to the Red Wings and move on to face the Canucks.
So who do you think will take this series? Here are my thoughts on the matchup.
Home Ice: Canucks
Offense: Sharks
While both teams have a lot of depth, you have to question the Vancouver offense. Sure you have Daniel, Henrik Sedin and Alex Burrowssome... but they have yet to make a real impact in the playoffs. They were almost no where to be seen in the Nashville series and disappeared after game 3 against the Blackhawks. Ryan Kessler has been the savior for the Canucks and has really taken his line and his team on his back and has put on one impressive display for all hockey fans to enjoy. Question is can he do it alone again... I don't think so. Even Conn Smyth winners need support and they will need it against a stacked Sharks team. As for the Sharks they are finally getting contribution from Joe Thornton and his line. Something that Shark fans have been waiting for. Logan Couture is really making something of himself on the 2nd line and Joe Pavelski continues to produce greatly. If the Canucks want to be feared in this department the Sedins really need to step their game up.
Defense: Canucks
Watching both teams in rounds 1 and 2 I really do think the Canucks have the blue line covered better. There are just times the Sharks would give up a lot of chances in front of their net and just leave Niemi out to dry. On the other side I look at Kevin Bieksa and Sami Salo really leading the team on the blue line, blocking shots, taking the body and really giving support to Luongo.
Goaltending: Sharks
Why would I not choose Antti Niemi over Roberto Luongo? Niemi has a Stanley Cup under his belt, he's beaten Luongo, he's proven himself as a goalie who can face 40+ shots and still get a win out of it, he can scramble with questionable defense, etc...
Special Teams: Canucks
Easily the PP has been a problem for the Sharks this postseason. The Sharks are 13.7% on the Power Play, while you compare it to the Canucks strong 86%. In fact for the Canucks most of their goals in the 2nd round came off the power play. On the Penalty Kill the Canucks are strong killing off 86% of their penalties with the Sharks going 82.7%
X Factor: Will the Sedins show up? Can Antti Niemi keep up the demanding 40+ saves if necessary?
My Verdict: I think for the most part the Sharks have more going for them with lines 1-3 really producing. I think Joe Thornton finally gets how playoff hockey works and he has two lines behind him to can produce when he matching up with the other teams star players. They have a goalie that knows how to win the cup and I think the Sharks are way more battle tested then the Canucks. I won't put Vancouver out of the picture just because Ryan Kessler is playing like a MVP this postseason, but I like the Sharks winning this.
Sharks in 6.
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