Pros & Cons: Detroit Red Wings vs San Jose Sharks
Our newest feature, Pros and Cons, holds a debate between two of our featured writers as they make an argument for each team in the series. We will continue this series throughout the playoffs as we delve deeper into how these two teams will fare against each other.
Detroit Red Wings by Anthony Curatolo
Entering these playoffs, most felt the Detroit Red Wings would need to have a performance of merit. They were right. The Phoenix Coyotes gave the Red Wings quite the scare forcing a game seven in their first round series. However, when the going got tough the vets stepped up. Rookie netminder Jimmy Howard and his troops were able to advance thanks to a spectacular team performance during that game seven.
Heading into the semi-finals, many fans are starting to wonder if we will see another 1993 type upset. This year, anything seems possible (SEE: Montreal Canadiens).
During the regular season, the Sharks and Red Wings went to war four times against each other four times. Detroit has the season series, taking three of the four games. The big factor here from the regular season series are the two road wins for Detroit beating the Sharks in San Jose by finals of 4-2 and 4-1.
The only loss was a shoot-out loss on home ice. As we all know, there are no shoot-outs in the playoffs.
The big guns for Detroit are prepared and ready for battle. They know what stepping up is all about. With a youngster between the pipes, Nicklas Lidstrom, Niklas Kronwall, Brian Rafalski and company all need to take there first round as a lesson learned.
Never underestimate your opponent, no matter who they may be.
San Jose Sharks by Luca Vacca (LeafsWire)
Jumbo Joe. That’s who carried the Sharks on his back and past the semi-dangerous Avalanche.
But no, not the one they usually call Jumbo Joe. Little Joe Pavelski took matters into his own hands, putting up five goals and three assists in six games in order to proceed to the next round. This begs the question, where the heck was Joe Thornton, aka the real ‘Jumbo Joe’.
Well, he’s currently sitting at a whopping 3 assists. You’d expect a little more from the guy, especially with his cap hit ($7.2M vs. Pavelski’s ~$1.6M). Oh yeah, that Ryan Clowe guy is pretty good too. Physicality and scoring touch, exactly what the Sharks need. On a more sour note, I saw just plain performances from ‘All-Stars’ Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley. There was rumours that Dany was playing hurt, and we’ll find out in due time. As for Patty, not a good way to possibly end your Sharks career. Also, not a good way to to play in your contract year. His play puzzles me, but hopefully he can pick it up for the Sharks sake.
When the playoffs first began, you could say that Evgeni Nabokov‘s play was atrocious and worrisome. A good team is stable from the net out, and as you could see, since Nabby wasn’t good, the team lost. Well, Nabokov effectively picked himself up, and showed he could play dominantly for the rest of the series, helping to ensure his team would move on.
It’s obvious San Jose doesn’t ice a perfect team, or even the best team. They have their share of flaws, but it is also equally obvious they have talent, and if they’re coached the right way, and they play to their system (and with a little luck to overcome the curse) the Sharks could find themselves going deeper. The Red Wings won’t roll over (whats up, Coyotes), and that’s why this upcoming series should be a dandy for hockey lovers.
