Tag: Final

Sharks vs Predators PDF Game 1 160429

And so it begins.

Series previews, general links

Predators are coming in hot (but probably battered) from their game 7 win two days ago.  Sharks have been healing and resting (with hard practices) for a week.

I’m expecting both teams to come out hard in the early part of the game to try and get an advantage.

Sharks have yet to change their line up this post season.  Haley, Zubrus, DeMelo,  Tennyson and Reimer have zero minutes of ice time (and the first four haven’t even dressed for a game).  Tennyson is back in NHL after three-game conditioning stint with AHL Barracuda.

Time for a little dreaming

News, links

Sharks – Predators Pacific Division Final – playoffs

Finally, a known opponent.

NHL Stats

Sharks twitter list
Twitter list of opponent news
Former Sharks on opponent: Carter Hutton; Scott Nichol (Director of Player Development)

Predators flew to San Jose on Thursday after winning their first round series in their first game 7 against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, and open up the series on Friday.

The Predators have never won a series against the Sharks, and the Sharks have never faced the Predators in the second round.  Sharks won both the 05-06 and 06-07 WCQF series against the Predators in five games.

The Sharks forwards average 6′ 1″, and 202.8 pounds; defense 6′ 2″ and 212.8. Forwards average age is 28.6, defense 28.4.

The Predators forwards average about the same height, more than two pounds heavier, and a year and a half younger.  Defense is half an inch shorter, more than six pounds lighter and again about a year and a half younger.

Nashville is riding high after its first game 7, and a win.  So could come in “hot” against the Sharks who haven’t played for a week.

This will probably a physical series, based on the # of hits each team had in the regular season.  Predators averaged more than a minute more of penalties per game than the Sharks.  Sharks scored more goals and let in fewer goals than the Predators.

While both teams had good road playoff records in the first round, and the Sharks had a poor regular season home record, I don’t know that it’ll be that much a difference with the intensity of the second round playoffs.

And sometimes all the stats and calculations in the world don’t mean a thing when the puck drops.

My call: Sharks in 6.

Series preview, news/links