NHL playoffs 2018: Ducks vs. Sharks TV schedule

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 03: Patrick Maroon
ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 03: Patrick Maroon /
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The 2018 NHL playoffs are finally here. In the Western Conference, the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks begin in their first round quarterfinals series. Check below for full times and channel listings.

What better way to start off the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs than with two rivals who can’t stand one another? The Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks might need facial reconstruction after this one.

On the Ducks side, they went full scorch-mode to end the year. In fact, they surpassed San Jose for second in the Pacific Division by going 8-1-1 in their final 10, including winning five in a row. But this is nothing new. The Ducks seem to turn it on every season once the playoffs roll around. For their effort, they’ll take home-ice advantage when the series begins on Thursday. We can only imagine Anaheim fans will be praying this one doesn’t go seven. They’ve lived those nightmares before.

Rickard Rakell and John Gibson are key in this one (should Gibson be healthy). Rakell will need to continue his career year (34 goals, 69 points) if the Ducks are to have any shot at knocking off the Sharks. Meanwhile, John Gibson produced a stellar campaign of his own. He finished his final 10 games having allowed only 20 goals.

Yet, these are just two reasons they could go all the way. Need more? Of course you do. Go here to check them out.

Ducks vs. Sharks TV Schedule

*If necessary. All times in ET.

Game 1: Thursday, April 12, 10:30 p.m., @ Anaheim

TV: USA, PRIME, NBCSCA

Game 2: Saturday, April 14, 10:30, p.m., @ Anaheim

TV: NBCSN, PRIME, NBCSCA

Game 3: Monday, April 16, 10:30 p.m., @ San Jose

TV: CNBC, PRIME, NBCSCA

Game 4: Wednesday, April 18, 10:30 p.m., @ San Jose

TV: Golf Channel, PRIME, NBCSCA

*Game 5: Friday, April 20, TBD @ Anaheim

*Game 6: Sunday, April 22, TBD @ San Jose

*Game 7: Tuesday, April 24, TBD @ Anaheim

Also, you can watch every game via live stream on Fubo.TV. Sign up now for a free trial.

In the Shark tank, San Jose will be looking to rebound quickly after they ended the regular season on a middling note. They went 5-4-1 in their final 10. Conversely, they were nearly caught by the Los Angeles Kings and knocked from the third spot altogether.

With that, don’t expect them to put up a mixed fight. As mentioned before, these two clubs absolutely hate each other. For fans of San Jose, you can bet that they’ll be ready to do whatever is necessary to stake their claim on Lord Stanley. They boast the number two penalty kill unit while also possessing the ninth best goals against in the league.

Both of those will have to come to play if San Jose wants to take this series.

Logan Couture and Martin Jones will also need to be factors for the Sharks. Couture put up 61 points on the year while goaltender Martin Jones was solid with 30 wins and a 2.55 goals against average. Considering they’ll be facing a Ducks team ranked 19th in goals for, Jones especially should have a chance to find his top form in this one.

Think the Sharks have what it takes to drink from the Cup in 2018? We do too. Go here to find out why.

Next: NHL's All-Time Canadian First and Second Teams

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