5 most compelling rivalry games of the NHL home openers

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 07: Pittsburgh Penguins center Riley Sheahan (15) handles the puck while Washington Capitals Defenseman John Carlson (74) defends during the overtime period. The Washington Capitals went on win 2-1 in the overtime period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 7, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Capitals won the series 4-2 and advance to the Eastern Conference Final. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 18: A shot of towels draped over chairs prior to the game between the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 18, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

3. Ducks vs. Sharks – Oct. 3, 2018

It’s always fun when the California teams square off, even when the matchup is as one-sided as Ducks vs. Sharks was last year. The Sharks won three out of four meetings against the Ducks in the regular season before sweeping them in their first round series. The SAP Center had “Duck Hunt” towels made specifically for their playoff matchup, and there may not have been a more appropriate metaphor to describe it.

The Sharks gave their fans something to be excited about when they wasted no time handing their deadline acquisition, Evander Kane, a seven-year extension. With four goals in nine games, Kane was one of their main sources of offense in the playoffs, and they’re hoping he can be even more productive once he gets to play with Joe Thornton. Now that Ovechkin has a Cup, Thornton is officially the player everybody should get behind to win one before he retires.

What undid the Ducks in the playoffs was a failure to generate consistent offense and defensive depth. Yes, Martin Jones was a brick wall in their series, but when your top five scorers combine for seven points in the playoffs, you’re not going to get the job done. And once Cam Fowler went down, their confidence was shattered.

How the Ducks try to rebound next season will be interesting to watch. But if they can get an opening win against a team that waxed them thoroughly, they will have taken a step in the right direction.

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