azshark

He refreshed Howard's face. Then he's shoved from behind by some coward. Go back and watch the replay. Oh well.

Goals Against and Penalty Kill, YEP, the Kings were indeed one of the best in the league in defense. They also played in, by far, the toughest division (Pacific) in the NHL this year. I agree that they missed the call on Clowe. But, the call on Pavelski, still has me wondering. Roughing? Pavelski? Huh?

LOL, You referenced the words of Drew Sharp from the Detroit Free Press. Those were not my words. Whiners = Homers.

Really? Maybe you Red Wing Homers are blinded from the reality that SJ was better last night... Drew Sharp: http://www.freep.com/article/20110430/COL08/104300389/1053/sports05/Drew-Sharp-Unlucky-deflection-Howard-s-big-night “They were the better team,” said Mike Babcock. That’s an understatement. The Wings can’t blame the officiating. They got twice as many penalty minutes as the Sharks, 16-8, but that’s what happens when you’re constantly chasing the puck as the Wings were. They’re lucky the Sharks didn’t devour them whole considering how they dominated the puck, particularly in the second and third periods. Who stated that SJ was the better team? A Sharks homer?

Pavelski reacted after getting hit by Howard. Bertuzzi should know better. What is the rule about contact on the back numbers of the sweater? Refs had NOTHING to do with the game last night.

The ONLY questionable call was boarding on Bertuzi. What about Pavelski following a puck to the net. Whistle blows and he gets back handed by Howard. Then both of them get roughing calls? REALLY?? The Sharks played strong last night. For the last 2/3+ of the game the Wings did not. It's that simple. Last night, nobody dove or embellished squat. The better team won.

First Period: Wings play perfect road period. Sharks get a few decent puck to the net. Periods 2 & 3: Sharks focused on D before O and transitioned the puck through the neutral zone pretty easily. Howard kept your team in the game. Pavel was amazing all game as usual. All this referee talk is complete garbage. Questionable calls on Nichol in the first and Pavelski in the second. This was a completely different SJ team that showed up. Penalties are drawn when teams are being outhustled, outplayed.

Yep, the Sharks won one more game than the Wings and the Kings won one less game than the Wings. Sure their star player was out, but the Kings were still a tough team. Factor this in with the Pacific Division being the strongest in the NHL. One less win than the Wings, playing in the Pacific, warrants more respect for the Sharks first round opponent.

I figured you folk (the few who've stuck around) up there struggle with East Coast bias even though you're in the Western Conference. Nobody in the East cares, or knows much about the good teams out West. The Red Wings and Sharks are two very good teams. Not nervous. Excited to see how this plays-out.

-You don't have the Sharks lines right. -Couture centers the 2nd line with Clowe and Heatley -Setoguchi is on the top line with Thornton and Marleau -Eager is on the 4th line, but was benched after game 4 vs. LA for Jamie McGinn The most productive line in the first round was the Sharks 3rd line. Go ahead...underestimate them! Pavelski centers that line. Remember him? 4th line, with Mayers, McGinn (or Eager) and Nichol plays VERY limited minutes. Nichol plays the most because he's great on face offs. If you look for the Sharks to roll out 4 lines all game, don't! Three lines for 95% of the game.

Thanks for fixing. The only possible change I could see is Eager back in, in place of McGinn. Good luck Detroit! Let's hope the refs swallow their whistles and let these two great teams figure it out the right way.

Awesome game day thread! Might want to re-visit the Sharks lines. No wonder you folks have your Wings winning so easily. No changes from the Kings series, so: -Marleau, Thornton, Setoguchi -Heatley, Couture, Clowe -Wellwood, Pavelski, Mitchell -McGinn, Nichol, Mayers

Two quick stats that come to mind when comparing the Kings to the Wings: PK: Kings 85.5% / Wings 82.3% GA (5 on 5): Kings 141 / Wings 165 People want to state that the Kings were so much better. Not sure what people are/were thinking...but they had 46 wins this year compared to 48 for SJ. BTW, your Wings had just ONE more win (47) than the Kings! 46 wins in the toughest division in the NHL this year.

Niemi started 32 straight, beginning in mid-January. His record: 24-4-4. He's worn-out. He won the cup last year. It's not a confidence thing. It's a focus thing. The Sharks scored in bunches against LA. They were also shut down in games 2 and 5. In game 2 it was the worst game for SJ in the series. Got off their game plan. Game 5, Quick was insane. 50+ shots on net. To state that the Detroit defense is way better...ok I guess. BUT, the Kings defense and goalie are much better than the Wings. The one other thing you Wing fans will learn quickly is that it's not the first line to worry about. It's our 2nd and 3rd that will (I believe) produce the most in this series. Pavs, who played the Wings well last year is the 3rd line center. Look forward to a great series!

WAS/TBL: 4-2 PHI/BOS: 4-2 VAN/NSH: 4-1 SJS/DET: 4-3 Western Conference Champion: SJS Eastern Conference Champion: WAS Stanley Cup Champion: SJS

Not saying the Sharks and Wings are playing each other. Just sayin'

I am thrilled you have everyone healthy...why? No EXCUSES next round!! Just had to post it!

Sharks fan living in LA. Went to the games here. You can call it a Kings collapse or the Sharks digging-deep. Whatever...all I know is that we are lucky to be up 3-1 in this thing. Penner did play soft on the OT winner Tuesday. But what I witnessed was Marleau schooling Handzus on that winning assist: 4th line for SJ allowed the first two, early goals on Tuesday and were yanked (TOI): -Eager: 1:30 -Mayers: 2:40 -Nichol: 3:20 The 4th line did play more last night, but we must roll out all four. People here picking on Quick. Very unfair. The majority of goals last night were pucks thrown to the net, blocked, and rammed-home. Quick is not a bad goalie. Just getting a bad rap.

Good observations! The Sharks, after three games, do look beatable. Poor goaltending is not all of it. I'd also attribute the slow start to taking dumb penalties, losing guys on the ice, not blocking shots, and having a HORRID transition game. If I look at a possible match-up on paper, I would be fine playing your Red Wings. Not worried a bit. BUT, the way SJ has played so far vs. the Kings, I am honestly concerned. But, we need two more W's first. Todd is an awesome coach, and I expect to see progression in the Sharks as this first round series continues. The other thing to consider... Our 4th line has sucked so far. In fact they were on the ice for the first two early goals in Game #3 and pretty much got yanked. Ice time (not exact): -Eager: 1:30 -Mayers: 2:40 -Nichol: 3:10 (he had more time because he's good at face-offs) One more thing, your list of quality players has Couture, Pavelski and Setoguchi. You MUST add Clowe and Murray. Clowe IS the leader on this team. Two big goals in game #3. Murray has been involved on both sides of the ice and his physical game is going. People are jumping on Jumbo Joe. From a statistical point of view, he's been pretty "playoff typical." To his credit, his back-checking game has been really good. Another "choker" Marleau has been quietly effective so far. I'd wait another game or two before you start salivating over the idea of playing SJ. If, they get rolling and Niemi "shows-up" it could be an awesome series!

VAN/CHI: 4-2 SJS/LAK: 4-0 DET/PHX: 4-1 ANA/NSH: 4-2 WAS/NYR: 4-2 BUF/PHI: 4-3 BOS/MTL: 4-1 TB/PITT: 4-2 WC Champion: San Jose Sharks EC Champion: Boston Bruins SCF Champion: San Jose Sharks

SJS/CHI: 4-3 PHI/MTL: 4-2

First-off, I love this site. I've been a lurker here for years. Figured there would be some fun, good-natured bantering going on here. BUT... Game #1: Refs Game #2: Refs Game #3: 3rd period collapse, a few questionable calls No way would I come on your boards and post smack. Not cool at all and not my style. This is why it sucks because these games have had controversey surrounding them and posting here would be wrong. How do I feel? Confident. This Sharks team has strength coming from multiple lines which is something I have not seen in a long time...if ever. Guys are stepping-up. Adding Scott N. and Manny M. and allowing L.Couture to develop his game 95% of the season in the AHL have all been great moves. Nabby has been playing well. TMac is an awesome coach and he's handled the "babies" on the team well. Every game has been a battle. The Sharks have found a way to take the extra step, so far and they have benefited from some lucky bounces. No chance this Sharks fan is looking ahead. Wings are to damn good.

Best pre-game SNOG yet! I agree let's f***in' rage... Go gups!

SJS/DET: 4-2 CHI/VAN: 4-3 PIT/MTL: 4-1 BOS/PHI: 4-2

Very excited for this series! If the Wings keep the focus on the top two lines, they will pay the price from the 3rd and 4th line guys on SJ. The Sharks biggest weakness is not Nabby. It is our D. Crazy stupid mistakes (mental lapses) during the season and once in the playoffs. Boyle is, however, the best D in this series on both sides. He's gonna fare better that NL. If SJ can limit stupid mistakes, continue to stay out of the box and get timely saves from Nabby they will win this thing in 6. The top two lines will produce in this series, but more importantly the Sharks 3rd & 4th liners will be the needed depth to get the series won.