Anaheim Ducks (15-15-7, 13th in west) at San Jose Sharks (22-8-7, t-1st in west), 7:30 pm
Fear The Fin is having a Night at the Tank, Anaheim Calling is having a Beer on the Couch.
Well, once again I'm quite rushed by holiday family shit, but I think I can convey most of today's topic through cartoon, as usual:
The Ducks and Sharks have met up three times so far this season, once in each month, and the Ducks have been routinely crushed -- they've been outscored 11-4 overall, but Anaheim's four goals consist of three 5-on-4 tallies and one 5-on-3 goal; Sharks have outscored the Ducks 7-0 at even-strength in the three games (e.s. shots are SJS 81, ANA 58). Even-strength doormats, indeed.
Jumbo Joe Thornton in particular has been murdering Ducks since they eliminated him last spring -- four goals and four assists in three games. Meanwhile Ryan Getzlaf and Scott Niedermayer are each -5 against the Sharks this season, and Corey Perry is a -6. And I'm not sure if we can expect much better if Coach Carlyle keeps going back to Kyle Calder on the top line, either -- Calder played more than half of Getzlaf & Perry's even-strength ice-time the last game against Phoenix and that ended quite futilely.
Prediction: I may be late to tonight's game comments, but I'll show up eventually. Ducks win a Christmas miracle game, 4-2, and shock the Sharks by scoring an even-strength empty-netter. No goals by Kyle Calder.
Go Ducks.
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