The San Jose Sharks went into a Anaheim and took, they didn't steal, they took the first two games of their best-of-7 series with the Ducks. They deserve to be up in this series. They deserve to win this series. Now it's up to them to finish it in short order.

After playing a simple game and letting the Ducks shoot themselves in the webbed foot, the Sharks cannot let them back into this series with a win tonight.

Quite simply, the Sharks have been the faster, smarter and more disciplined team in this series. I have a unique perspective because I cover both of these teams and I can tell you point blank - the slow, lumbering, sloppy and penalty-riddled Ducks have reared their ugly heads throughout several points in the regular season. But, just as quickly - the faster, skilled and dominating Ducks can reappear. San Jose cannot let that happen.

I'm not sure how far this group of Sharks can go, but I really liked what I saw in Anaheim. Four different goal scorers accounted for San Jose's offense through two games. The Couture's, Kane's and Burns' of the wold have contributed. As well as depth guys like Tomas Hertl and Marcus Sorensen. Speaking of Hertl - what a goal in game two. This bodes well heading home.

The Ducks are not getting anything from their top guys. Part of that is their own sloppiness, and part of that is the way San Jose has controlled the play.

Unlike some of the other series in the first round of the playoffs, they Sharks won both of their games on the road. That's a big edge for entering game 3 in front of the home town fans having a nice cushion. That said, the Ducks won't just go away. Anaheim was in this same position last season against Edmonton and they have the ability to do it again. The Ducks have a winning record at SAP Center and they went 5-3 on the road in the playoffs last spring, winning their first four road games along the way. If they do that again they win this series.

Tonight is the biggest game of the series for both teams. If the Sharks win, they have the death grip. The Ducks win and memories of past playoff failures come back to haunt San Jose once again.

San Jose should not change a thing. The Ducks will come out banging. The Sharks need to weather the early storm because inevitably Anaheim will get sloppy. They will either take a bad penalty or make another ridiculous pass in front on their on cage. The Sharks just have to be patient and take what Anaheim gives them. They do that and I like them to put this series to bed in a hurry.

BTW, still no Joe Thornton.

Thanks for reading,
Steve

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