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Today, the irresistible force, meets the immovable object, as the San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks.
The Vancouver Canucks come into this one after playing what might considered their best “team” game since they went into Boston last year. They out hit, out played, out fought and stuck up for each other for the full 60 minutes last game against the Ducks. This team is truly rolling again and looks like it can compete against anyone in the NHL. When they play like that, there isn’t a team in the league that can beat them.
The San Jose Sharks are also riding high, after starting the season 4-0. They are scoring nearly five goals a game and are giving up less than two. This short stretch may be as good as we have seen the Sharks in, well… ever. Marleau and Thornton are torching NHL net minders at will and as they go, the Sharks go.
As good as both of these teams have looked this year, I will be watching to see how they play against a playoff team. We need to face the facts that neither has taken on an opponent that experts would consider a contender. This will be the first test for both of these teams, to gauge where they sit against the “big boys”.
I think we will see Vancouver continue their strong play and not take anything from San Jose. The Canucks have won 10 of their past 13 games against San Jose. That tells me they have the Sharks number, and until they can beat them a little more regularly, I’m not ready to go with them. As long as Vancouver gets more power-plays than San Jose, they should have this one, as both team have excellent PPs and terrible PKs.
This should be a fun one with special teams deciding it.
Prediction- 4-3 Vancouver- Kassian taking on Clowe and scoring the winner
Respect Your Rival
TJ Galiardi
I’ve always been a big fan of this guy and it’s nice to finally see him getting more of a chance to contribute this year. He is getting a chance to play on both the PP and the PK this year, and I look for him to have a breakout season. He always finishes his checks and is more than willing to block shots; I love players that do all those things. Galiardi has also played well against Vancouver in the past, scoring 4 of his 34 career goals against Vancouver. Watch for No. 21 to be a thorn in Vancouver’s side again.
That’s a wrap.
Ian
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