Western Conference Playoff Preview: Canucks vs. Sharks

Mar 05, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA; Vancouver Canucks center Henrik Sedin (33) and San Jose Sharks right wing Adam Burish (37) faceoff during the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

#3 Canucks Vs. #6 Sharks

Season Series: Sharks swept the Canucks (3-0-0)

Sun Jan. 27 Canucks @ Sharks 4-1 Sharks win

Tue Mar. 5 Sharks @ Canucks 3-2 SO Sharks win

Mon Apr. 1 Canucks @ Sharks 3-2 Sharks win

Series Schedule

Wednesday, May 1 in Vancouver, 10:30 P.M.

Friday, May 3 in Vancouver, 10:00 P.M.

Sunday, May 5 in San Jose, 10:00 P.M.

Tuesday, 7 in San Jose, 10:00 P.M.

Thursday, May 9 in Vancouver, 10:00 P.M.

Saturday, May 11 in San Jose, TBD

Monday, May 13 in Vancouver, TBD

Canucks

Season Record: 26-15-7, 59 pts., +6 goal differential, Home Record: 15-6-3, Road Record: 11-9-4, last ten games: 5-4-1

The Canucks are the Northwest Division Champions again this season, with only the Minnesota Wild to help represent the division in the playoffs. They’ve had an up and down season and haven’t been as dominant as they have the past few years. We all know about their goaltending drama, but the Canucks have been consistent with Corey Schneider as the starting goaltender and Roberto Luongo backing him up. The Canucks will have home ice advantage and need to adjust their regular season home record of 15-6-3 if they hope to ward off the Sharks in the first round.

Canucks top scorer – Henrik Sedin 45 pts. (11G, 34A)

Starting Goaltender – Corey Schneider, 2.11 GAA, .927 save percentage

Sharks

Season Record: 25-16-7, 57 pts., +8 goal differential, Home Record: 17-2-5, Road Record: 8-14-2, last ten games: 5-5-0

The Sharks had a great start to the season, going 7-0-1 before faltering and blending in with the crowd. They swept the Canucks in a 3 game season series, once in a shootout. The Sharks won’t have home ice advantage for this series which could be an issue since their regular season road record is 8-14-2. The key to defeating the Canucks is playing a stronger road game every night in hopes of stealing a couple in Vancouver.

Sharks top scorers – Joe Thornton 40 pts. (7G, 33A), Logan Couture 37 pts. (21G, 16A)

Starting Goaltender – Antti Niemi, 2.16 GAA, .924 save percentage

Notes

Raffi Torres was traded from Canucks to the Sharks this season. We’ll see if he’s stopped his human wrecking ball ways or if he lets the Canucks feel some of it.

Both the Sharks and Canucks have lost 2 games in preparation for the post season, so it’s a matter of which team will turn it up and overtake the opponent.

Prediction – Sharks will advance in 7. Both teams have almost identical records, but the Sharks faced more talented opponents against the Anaheim Ducks and the LA Kings, the defending Stanley Cup champions. It will be a back and forth series that eventually goes to the Sharks.

What is your prediction for the Sharks/Canucks series?

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