2nd Round Opponent

[rares]

Credit goes to this person/post at FTF.

Probabilities (based on FENCLOSE percentages) of next opponent (and what needs to happen):

Chicago Blackhawks:
CHI beats MIN, ANA beats DET – 41.36%

Anaheim Ducks:
(not possible) – 0.00%

St. Louis Blues:
CHI beats MIN, DET beats ANA, STL beats LAK – 23.14% – OR
MIN beats CHI, ANA beats DET, STL beats LAK – 2.22%
TOTAL – 25.36%

Los Angeles Kings:
CHI beats MIN, DET beats ANA, LAK beats STL – 25.39% – OR
MIN beats CHI, ANA beats DET, LAK beats STL – 2.43%
TOTAL – 27.82%

Detroit Red Wings:
MIN beats CHI, DET beats ANA – 5.45%

Minnesota Wild:
(not possible) – 0.00%

Probabilities (based on each team with 50% chance to win each game) of next opponent (and what needs to happen):

Chicago Blackhawks:
CHI beats MIN, ANA beats DET – 43.75%

Anaheim Ducks:
(not possible) – 0.00%

St. Louis Blues:
CHI beats MIN, DET beats ANA, STL beats LAK – 21.88% – OR
MIN beats CHI, ANA beats DET, STL beats LAK – 3.13%
TOTAL – 25.00%

Los Angeles Kings:
CHI beats MIN, DET beats ANA, LAK beats STL – 21.88% – OR
MIN beats CHI, ANA beats DET, LAK beats STL – 3.13%
TOTAL – 25.00%

Detroit Red Wings:
MIN beats CHI, DET beats ANA – 6.25%

Minnesota Wild:
(not possible) – 0.00%

Sooo, it's basically going to be Chicago.

For some strange reason, I'd rather play them than STL/LA.

Doesn't matter... if the Sharks are going to get anywhere, they have to plow their way through all these awesome teams regardless.

Just enjoy the extra rest for now.

 

[rares]

Although I'm still thinking/hoping that DET will beat ANA... so then we'll end up playing STL or LA instead.

 

[SJVP408]

My order of preference:

LAK most preferred
CHI
STL least preferred

 

[MrChangoT97]

Lets hope

Wild takes the Blackhawks to 6 games or 7?
would love to see the Wild take another game or two, but no way they are going to win this series

Wingz and Ducks 6-7 games
like the Wing's chances, but I think the Ducks pull this one out. This is a series I will follow very close. Wings win Sharks don't play Hawks. Wings lose then Sharks play Hawks.

Kings and Blues 6-7 games
i hope both teams beat the crap out of each other and winning team limps into the 2nd round. Yeah i would like our chances against the Kings because the Blues just seem to have the Shark's number. If the Sharks do play the Kings or Blues im sure they will not be 100% healthy and the Sharks will be ready.

Playoff hockey is fucking fantastic and I'm glad the Sharks get to rest and wait to find out who they will face. More practice time will help also.

 

[caliraftdude]

I think CHI is going to be the team you have to beat - they are just stacked and playing pretty well. My biggest concern is that the Sharks go cold while waiting for their next opponent.

Regardless - its great the swept the Vancouver Dive... the only thing they can dive onto now is the couch. I agree with Rares - the next opponent doesn't really matter much, the west is pretty solid up and down.. you are going to have a tough series no matter who you draw.

 

[madcap9999]

I'd take Chicago right now. Sharks are riding a huge confidence high right now, are relatively healthy and if matched up right now this team can beat the Hawks. We all know it - but do they?

 

[Ray_Dogg]

I'll take the easy commute and the Kings.

 

[gmalis1]

I'd take Chicago right now. Sharks are riding a huge confidence high right now, are relatively healthy and if matched up right now this team can beat the Hawks. We all know it - but do they?

Ummm, we all DON'T know it. Hawks have played very well against the Sharks this season. Crawford and Niemi are playing very well in the playoffs and the regular season, but the Hawks have won 5-3, 4-1 and 2-1.

EVERY team is dangerous in the playoffs. And the Sharks are playing well, albeit beating the Canucks, who were a train wreck in the playoffs, isn't the greatest accomplishment.

Personally, I'm hoping for the Hawks to play the Wings. But playing the Sharks would be good too. No complaints with either.

 

[Cmon_WTF]

My order of preference:

LAK most preferred
CHI
STL least preferred

That would probably be my order as well. Hopefully LA and STL beat the crap out of each other for seven games and whomever wins doesn't have much left for the 2nd round.

 

[Cbrower91]

Just need a wings series win and a kings series win and everything works out

 

[rares]

Does Ratto ever have anything nice to say? Haha..

 

[RaiderZar]

Does Ratto ever have anything nice to say? Haha..

Does Ray Fatto know how to count? Since when is 5 days "as long" as 8 days? He has no trouble counting pizza slices...

 

[caliraftdude]

Its hard to watch this dude... he looks like he should be chowing raw fish in the sun on some hot rocks vice providing hockey insight.

AFAIAC, these look like different teams to me. I am concerned they might cool off - but lets also give some credit where it's due: They haven't been known for finishing opponents in the POs either - and they SPANKED VAN... badly.

Forwards:
Ryane Clowe
Logan Couture
Benn Ferriero
Dany Heatley
Dwight Helminen
Manny Malhotra
Patrick Marleau
John McCarthy
Jamie McGinn
Frazer McLaren
Torrey Mitchell
Scott Nichol
Jed Ortmeyer
Joe Pavelski
Devin Setoguchi
Jody Shelley
Brad Staubitz
Joe Thornton
Ryan Vesce
Steven Zalewski

Defense:
Rob Blake
Dan Boyle
Joe Callahan
Kent Huskins
Derek Joslin
Jay Leach
Jason Demers
Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Niclas Wallin
Douglas Murray

Goalies:
Evgeni Nabokov
Thomas Greiss



Forwards:
Adam Burish
Brent Burns
Ryane Clowe
Logan Couture
Andrew Desjardins
TJ Galiardi
Scott Gomez
Martin Havlat
Tim Kennedy
Patrick Marleau
Frazer McLaren
Joe Pavelski
James Sheppard
Joe Thornton
Raffi Torres
Tommy Wingels

Defense:
Dan Boyle
Justin Braun
Jason Demers
Scott Hannan
Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Brad Stuart
Matt Tennyson
Matt Irwin

Goalies:
Antti Niemi
Alex Stalock
Thomas Greiss

 

[snowsurfer13sss]

Rob Blake
Dan Boyle
Joe Callahan
Kent Huskins
Derek Joslin
Jay Leach
Jason Demers
Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Niclas Wallin
Douglas Murray

Slowest D ever. I think that was a big problem.

 

[Cbrower91]

Rob Blake
Dan Boyle
Joe Callahan
Kent Huskins
Derek Joslin
Jay Leach
Jason Demers
Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Niclas Wallin
Douglas Murray

Slowest D ever. I think that was a big problem.

Not taking Huskins out of the line up made them slower,back then atleast he could keep up

 

[SJVP408]

This Sharks team can skate with anyone. They may not be as skilled as the Hawks and Kings, they may not be as systematic and physical as the Blues, but they can at least keep up now.

In past seasons, it wasn't even close. They were always in chase mode. Watching Murray get skated around, or watching Clowe slow the play down to a crawl wasn't cutting it. DWil has trimmed the fat and the Sharks can at least keep up to the rest of the league now. Factor in that they've always had good skill in the lineup, plus a Vezina finalist goalie this season, and the Sharks are a dangerous team. Oh and the PK, night and day turnaround.

I think the Sharks should prefer to see the Kings. Not because they'd be an easy opponent, but because they will be the least difficult imo. The Hawks are frickin stacked and the Blues beat you up and play stifling D. The Kings are kind of a mix between those two, but because they are division rivals and know each other well, I feel it will come down to a few bounces here and there, and that's the best chance the Sharks can hope for.

 

[caliraftdude]

Agreed -

Getting Stuart and Hannan (surprisingly... I thought he was pretty much done) back changed the complexion of our D a lot. Having wolfman up front gave us a real power forward that scores and doesn't take stupid penalties all the time, Pav making the 3rd line legitimate, Gomez making the 4th line legitimate and Torres (sigh).. bringing that much needed tenacity has very much changed what this team looks like.

Even if the Mullet still doesn't believe.

 

[snowsurfer13sss]

This Sharks team can skate with anyone. They may not be as skilled as the Hawks and Kings, they may not be as systematic and physical as the Blues, but they can at least keep up now.

In past seasons, it wasn't even close. They were always in chase mode. Watching Murray get skated around, or watching Clowe slow the play down to a crawl wasn't cutting it. DWil has trimmed the fat and the Sharks can at least keep up to the rest of the league now. Factor in that they've always had good skill in the lineup, plus a Vezina finalist goalie this season, and the Sharks are a dangerous team. Oh and the PK, night and day turnaround.

I think the Sharks should prefer to see the Kings. Not because they'd be an easy opponent, but because they will be the least difficult imo. The Hawks are frickin stacked and the Blues beat you up and play stifling D. The Kings are kind of a mix between those two, but because they are division rivals and know each other well, I feel it will come down to a few bounces here and there, and that's the best chance the Sharks can hope for.

100% Agreed. I think our best shot into the 3rd round would be the Kings. We play them as well as anyone. Quick is damn good though...

 

[snowsurfer13sss]

Tim Kennedy scored one of his two goals on the Hawks and had 4 SOG in that game. Maybe he wont be that bad if the Hawks dont play that physical.

 

[rares]

Nice drill today:


https://vine.co/v/b0mu13v9Jr9
https://vine.co/v/b0mu3uYLM1E