Sharks vs. Ducks: Game 3 predictions
The San Jose Sharks head back home to the Shark Tank with a nice two-game advantage over the Anaheim Ducks. Here are some predictions for what will surely be a great Game 3.
The Sharks stole home ice advantage from the Ducks in Game 1, and then just added to their advantage in Game 2. Now the Sharks have the opportunity to finish out this series in front of their home fans if they win the next two games. The Ducks need to change something up, because clearly what they are doing isn’t working.
Everyone knows how the Ducks play their hockey. They are aggressive, finish their hits and rely heavily on the prowess of their net-minder John Gibson. Their “after the whistle” antics have not worked so far in this series. The have actually hurt the Ducks more than helped them, in all honesty.
In the first two games, the Ducks committed a massive nine penalties. The Sharks, in comparison, have committed five. The Sharks only capitalized on the power play twice, which makes sense given how bad the Sharks power play unit has been since losing Joe Thornton. However, 22 percent with a man-advantage is nothing to scoff at.
The Ducks have not played smart hockey. They have played with reckless abandon and have shot themselves in the foot a couple times. Typically, the Ducks aggressive manner gets under the skin of the opposing players and causes them to retaliate. Instead, the Sharks have kept their cool and played smart, getting their revenge in a legal manner.
With that being said, let’s look at some predictions for tonight’s game that you won’t see on ESPN, or in hockey’s case, TSN.
Predictions
1. Evander Kane scored his first two Stanley Cup Playoff goals in Game 1, but didn’t have a point in Game 2. Tonight, Kane will end with a Gordie Howe hat trick: a goal, an assist, and a fight (preferably with Corey Perry).
2. Speaking of Corey Perry…Perry will accomplish his goal of getting suspended tonight because apparently his cheap shot on Melker Karlsson wasn’t enough. He is sick of losing and would rather watch from the press box than actually participate in the game. Watch for him to do something stupid.
3. Eric Fehr will score his first playoff goal since April of 2016. Yes, that’s the same Eric Fehr that was playing in the AHL earlier this season.
Final Score: San Jose Sharks 4, Anaheim Ducks 2
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