Sharks Gameday: The Game

by Megalodon on Dec 28, 2011 5:00 AM PST

Discovering the object of the game *is* the object of the game.

Next Game

Wednesday, Dec 28, 2011, 7:30 PM PST
HP Pavilion

On Sharks vs. Ducks:

So for some reason the Sharks can't beat the Ducks this year. It's weird. By every possible measure, the Ducks are an objectively bad team. The Sharks have beaten much better opposition consistently all season long. What's going on? Here are three theories:

1) The Ducks play a particular style of hockey that, while clearly ineffective against most teams in the league, manages to give the Sharks a lot of trouble. For the benefit of our readers, I'll describe this using the nerdiest analogy possible: the Ducks are a button-mashing little kid playing Street Fighter. Against most skilled opponents, they will be easily beaten. The Sharks are great at beating skilled opponents, but when faced with a button-masher San Jose's strategies - which are based on the assumption that their opponents will behave logically and will play with a certain minimum level of skill - fall apart.

2) It's random chance. The Sharks are a good team and the Ducks are a bad team, but good teams still lose and bad teams still win. It's just a fluke that the Ducks have been beating the Sharks so far this season. This is probably the correct theory, but it's boring.

3) The Sharks don't take the Ducks seriously. And, really, can you blame them?

On the Canucks:

The Sharks play the Canucks tonight, then rest until the new year when they play the Canucks again on January 2nd. The Canucks have been rolling lately, with a record of 8-2-1 in their last eleven games. They started the season slowly but have come back strong, taking the division lead away from the Minnesota "Derek Zona told you so" Wild.

Sports fans love to call certain games "tests" or "statements." I rarely do that because it's stupid, but I'm going to do it now: these next two games are a good test for the Sharks. This is a chance for San Jose to make a statement. Beating the Canucks twice in a row would be a big accomplishment, and would start 2012 off on a great note for the Sharks.

On the practice of tossing dead animals on to the ice:

Please, everybody, stop doing this. It's horrifying.

On Poseidon:

Helping the Sharks win twenty games in a row, starting tonight, would be a great way for you to rekindle your worship in the modern era.

I'm just saying.

On the movie "The Game":

It's excellent.

On predictions:

Sharks win 5-1.

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Comments

GO SHARKS!

I’m hoping to be home to see this game. I think I’ve mentioned that I’ve been taking a b&w film photography class. Well the project I’ve chosen is the California Missions and the boys and I are headed to three more today to take photos of for next semester. So if timing works out right, I should be home in time.

GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)

by Angy on Dec 28, 2011 7:36 AM PST reply actions

I hope we destroy your team tonight ang

I'm warning you! I have ADHD and I know how to use it!!!
Good job Giants, now win 3 more world series titles and then you just might be worthy of being mentioned in the same league as the A's.
THAT IS NABOKOV IN NET NOT NITTYMAKISHUTUP!!!!!!!!!!
San Jose: Being Kept save from ferocious enemies by the Sharks and Earthquakes since 91 and 96.

by Diamondback15 on Dec 28, 2011 10:02 AM PST up reply actions 3 recs

Same here.

Unfortunately her Canucks have had our teams’ number for for over a year.

by Briceratops on Dec 28, 2011 1:36 PM PST up reply actions

Excellent analogy

For every moment of triumph, for every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled.

by Nut on Dec 28, 2011 8:17 AM PST reply actions

The Game

David Fincher is super awesome.

Michael Douglas is mostly super awesome. Falling Down is always overlooked as a great movie. The Ghost And The Darkness was not a good movie.

Enjoying the Shady Acres of hockey blogging retirement. No, that's not the Florida Panthers.

by Mike Chen on Dec 28, 2011 8:20 AM PST reply actions

The Ghost and the Darkness was an awesome movie.

Val Kilmer sorted it out.

Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker

by PNK on Dec 28, 2011 10:56 AM PST up reply actions

Tom Wilkinson is the shit..made that movie

Niles: You'll see who feels foolish when I'm sitting on a mechanical bull sipping champagne.
www.battleofcali.com

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 29, 2011 8:10 AM PST up reply actions

Fucking button mashers.

"There is no gravity son, the world just sucks." - my father.

by tu madre on Dec 28, 2011 8:35 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

I don't know if I'll get the recap up this week, the SB Nation fanpost program is flipping me the bird.

by Diamondback15 on Dec 28, 2011 10:01 AM PST reply actions

3) The Sharks don’t take the Ducks seriously. And, really, can you blame them?

I guess this last game maybe, but the first two it’s dubious.

www.battleofcali.com

by Earl Sleek on Dec 28, 2011 10:11 AM PST reply actions

No they have been taking it seriously

Just inexplicably getting their ass kicked.

by Briceratops on Dec 28, 2011 1:44 PM PST up reply actions

Um...

On the practice of tossing dead animals on to the ice:

Please, everybody, stop doing this. It’s horrifying.

So I shouldn’t throw a dead Canuck on the ice tonight?

Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
Fear The Fin's Fifth-String Moderator !!

by idunno723 on Dec 28, 2011 12:22 PM PST reply actions

Canucks are humans, not animals, you racist.

President of the Brent Burns Robotic Sex-Pants Fan Club.
Battle of California

by Megalodon on Dec 28, 2011 12:29 PM PST up reply actions

So...

yay or nay?

Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
Fear The Fin's Fifth-String Moderator !!

by idunno723 on Dec 28, 2011 12:46 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah go for it, throw him out there.

President of the Brent Burns Robotic Sex-Pants Fan Club.
Battle of California

by Megalodon on Dec 28, 2011 12:56 PM PST up reply actions

Who said it was a he, you sexist.

Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
Fear The Fin's Fifth-String Moderator !!

by idunno723 on Dec 28, 2011 2:20 PM PST up reply actions 4 recs

haha

by ScottyKnows on Dec 28, 2011 3:44 PM PST up reply actions

Go get Evil Stanchion

by Briceratops on Dec 28, 2011 1:36 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe if someone climbs into the rafters and loses his grip? There was that Kings-Wings game in Detroit when some drunk climbed into the rafters and they stopped the game until security could get him down.

"I think you just outed yourself as Dean Lombardi. I knew it all along." — Rudy Kelly

by DougX on Dec 28, 2011 11:36 PM PST up reply actions