Most projections for the Pacific Division saw a close second-round series between two worthy adversaries, likely the ceaselessly competitive Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks—a legitimate contender after overcoming a tough start to the year.
Instead, as we prepare for yet another second-round Game 7, we find a different Pacific playoff entrant fighting for the conference title.
The San Jose Sharks will host, hoping to move on to the Western final for the third time in the salary-cap era. Often criticized as playoff failures, the Sharks have in fact won nine playoff series since the 2004-05 lockout; that’s only one series less than the Kings.
The trouble is San Jose has spread those wins out, winning a round or two most years before bowing out. With a new head coach in Peter DeBoer and a retooled roster, the hope for the Sharks is that this year will be different.
The Nashville Predators plan to make that impossible. Twice in two tries, the Predators have fallen to San Jose in the postseason; never has the franchise gotten as far as the conference final. Thursday's Game 7 offers a chance f ...
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Article written by Jonathan Willis
Predators vs. Sharks: Game 7 Preview, Prediction for NHL Playoff Series Finale
May 12th, 2016 by Jonathan Willis Leave a reply »
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