California bragging rights are on the table in round one

So round one for the sharks in the past four years has always been something that they can do. last year the calgary flames did a great job and pushed them to seven games but alas the sharks (powered by an all star performance with Jermey Roenick) prevailed. This year will be no differant for San Jose. The season series between these two teams was 4-2 for the sharks and i beieve that is what the playoff series is going to be.

There are some really really good parts about a round one with Anahiem. Number one, less travel then any other team to make the playoffs (364 miles is a breeze after 41 games all over north america). Vancouver and St.Louis will be travelling 3,658 km between the two of them and Calgary and Chicago will be traveling 2,564km. Detriot and Columbus have it really good at only 337km they could practically drvie themselves there. Number two, the sharks powerplay is amazing against these ducks having scored 5 powerplay goals in those six games. and its not like the ducks are really good at staying out of the penalty box. in the playoffs powerplay goals are like cash, you just cant have enough of it. Number three, at the trade deadline the ducks were sellers and the sharks bought. Travis Moen and Kent Huskins were regulars for these ducks but now they are going to help the sharks defeat their old team and they have plenty of motivation. When a team trades you away for something good (Joe Thornton) you can take it as a compliment. When a team trades you for some conditional draft picks then you can hold a grudge. I am hopeing thats how these guys will take it anyways.

This is also the first time that two of the three california based team have meet in the playoffs since 1969 when the sharks were actually known as the california golden seals. This means unlike any other playoff series in the first round (exception going to columbus congradulations on making it to the playoffs for the first time) there is going to be history in the making. Now California hockey fans can watch and know that for a fact california is going to have a team represented in round two of the stanley cup playoffs. Isnt that a nice thought cali?My prediction sharks 4 ducks 2, it will also be one of the top three series in the first round thanks to a defenceman that the sharks fans (who happen to be the best in sport) really really hate. Its not Scott Niedermayer (who is a legend in the game of hockey and has won the stanley cup four times), its not Ryan Whitney. This man is 6 foot 6 and i think rather ugly. For some reason i am glad to see this childish brute in round one (this man has been given over 7 suspensions since joining the league for giving elbows, stomping on people when they were down and cross checking opponents in the face), welcome to San Jose Chris Pronger. I hope that you enjoy your stay here because I know for a fact that the sharks will be trying to send you home as soon as possiable.