The Western Conference playoff race is looking like it will go all the way to the wire. There are two key matchups on Monday night that will add to the suspense and pressure in the West. Let’s take a look.
Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks: Faceoff from Rogers Arena is set for 10 p.m. ET. Anaheim is one point ahead of the Montreal Canadiens for the top record in the NHL and two points ahead of the Nashville Predators for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Ducks are back on track with seven wins in their last nine games despite several key injuries. Vancouver has lost three out of their last five and is just three points ahead of the ninth place Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference.
What to Watch: The team speed of Anaheim is among the best and most impressive in the NHL. Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau has been able to get his team to overcome the metrics of a team that should be slightly above .500
Who to Watch: Ducks rookie goaltender John Gibson is starting to look like the long term answer to the Ducks biggest question and worry. Gibson has a .947 save percentage in his last five games. Vancouver goalie Eddie Lack has slumped to a .907 save percentage in his last five games in replacement of the injured Ryan Miller.
Why to Watch: The Ducks are an offense oriented team with plenty of skill that is entertaining to watch. The Canucks have no margin for error and can be expected to have a top effort. Twin forwards Henrik and Daniel Sedin are in prime form for the Canucks.
Willie Desjardins has done a remarkable job in turning around the Canucks in his first year as head coach. The Canucks were a train wreck by the end of last season, and Desjardins has impressed with his more positive approach, in contrast to the abrasive style of his predecessor John Tortorella.
Pittsburgh Penguins at San Jose Sharks: Faceoff from the SAP Center is set for 10 p.m. ET with coverage on NBCSN. Pittsburgh has caught fire with six wins in their last seven games and is now three points behind the New York Islanders for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division. San Jose has fallen to tenth place in the Western Conference and is four points out of the final playoff spot. The Sharks have lost six out of their last nine and are coming off a disastrous 3-2 home loss to Vancouver.
What to Watch: The Sharks are desperate and reeling while the Penguins are again looking powerful with a much improved defense that has climbed to fourth best in the NHL for goals against.
Who to Watch: Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang is a major reason for the improved defense and also adds an element of offense with 10 goals and 40 assists to go with his plus-13 against the top lines in the game. Penguins goaltender Marc Andre Fleury has a .927 save percentage in his last five games. Sharks center Joe Pavelski has 32 goals and has emerged as a natural leader.
Why to Watch: Do or die desperation in the Shark Tank. The Sharks are out of mulligans and must make up for their loss to the Canucks. Pittsburgh has the look of a top Stanley Cup contender after a sluggish mid-season.
The Penguins have emerged with power and momentum and are responding well to first year head coach Mike Johnston. Johnston is proving to be the breath of fresh air that was clearly needed after Dan Bylsma perpetually failed to get the team over the hump in the playoffs.
San Jose general manager Doug Wilson made a lot of empty noise after last year’s playoff catastrophe against the Los Angeles Kings when the Sharks blew a 3-0 series lead. Wilson has done little to actually change the structure of the team and now the Sharks are suffering from an identity crisis as to what they are actually supposed to be. Wilson never solved the goaltender issue nor added to defensive corps depth. The playoff choke to the Kings may prove to be damaging to the franchise for years to come.
