Stanley Cup Playoffs 2018: Ducks vs. Sharks preview and prediction
The Anaheim Ducks will face the San Jose Sharks in a battle of two California sleeper teams that could make a run at the Stanley Cup.
On Thursday April 12, two of the most popular sleeper teams in the Western Conference will square off in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs when the Anaheim Ducks take on the San Jose Sharks for bragging rights for the title of California’s superior hockey team.
Anaheim did not have it easy this year, and it almost seemed the Ducks might miss the playoffs entirely early on after a slow start from being decimated by injuries.
Ducks players lost a combined 318 games due to injuries this season, but now the Ducks are healthy and they are playoff ready. Anaheim fought tooth and nail down the stretch to earn home ice advantage and finished 10-1-1 with seven straight home wins to do so.
John Gibson has quietly put together a tremendous season, but he remains questionable for Game 1. The Ducks’ hopes depend on his health and whether he’s able to maintain his form in the absence of Cam Fowler, who remains out for two-to-six weeks.
San Jose has been one thing above all else this year — consistent.
Never at any point did it seem that the Sharks were in any serious danger of missing the playoffs, but unfortunately they lost home ice advantage in this series on the final day with a 1-4-1 finish after an 8-0-1 run.
Despite the stumble, the Sharks have been fifth in the league in goal scoring since March 1 with 64 goals. If John Gibson is unable to go or is shaky, the Sharks offense could feast on the Ducks depleted D core, especially with the addition of Evander Kane to the lineup.
Joe Thornton is still a question mark to return, and if he does, this team gets a whole lot better.
San Jose took the season series 3-0-1 this year, but two of their wins came in the shootout and Anaheim’s only win also came in the shootout. This series could also come down to special teams, with both teams penalty kills ranking in the top five, Anaheim in second and San Jose in fifth.
All year, San Jose felt like a safe pick with its consistency and depth, but that stumble to the finish line that cost the Sharks home ice has left their confidence shaken.
Anaheim is red-hot at the right time, and their depth is every bit if not better than the Sharks when healthy but the absence of Fowler and possibly Gibson could sink them if they can’t return to form. The Sharks are the healthier team coming in, but injuries haven’t killed the Ducks just yet. Only one point separates the two, and this will be a razor-close series that will hinge on either sides health.
Next: 10 reasons Stanley Cup Playoffs are better than NBA Playoffs
A prediction for this series is difficult to make and hinges on two factors, the Sharks blowing home ice advantage late and the Ducks’ health. If Gibson misses even one game for the Ducks, that could make all the difference, while cold stretches can be quickly overcome with the right motivation.
San Jose goes into Anaheim for a Game 7 after six hard-fought games, where the Ducks have struggled up until last year, and steals the series on the back of a sensational Martin Jones performance and depth scoring.
Prediction: Sharks over Ducks in seven
For more from the NHL playoffs, make sure to follow FanSided and stay tuned to our NHL hub for all the latest news and results.