2nd Round Preview

Dallas vs. San Jose

This 2nd round promises to be another long series between two old rivals.

Here are some things to look for on the Sharks

Sharks PK vs Dallas PP

The Sharks vaunted #1 PK in the regular season was absolutely atrocious against the Flames and ranked dead last out of the 16 playoff teams after the first round. Mike Grier took a horrible angle on the Adrian Acouin shot from the point for Calgary's first goal in game 7 and has not been very good along with Mitchell in getting pucks out the whole series. Simply put, our pk guys are not getting to loose pucks and need to work harder. Dallas has more skilled guys and watch out for Modano on the point as well as Robidas who had a tremendous series against Anahiem.


Sharks 3rd line performance

The normally reliable 3rd line of Mitchell, Grier and Rismiller during the regular season managed a combined 2 pts total that whole series (2 assists). While not expected to score a bunch of goals, they need to get better defensively. Rismiller was scratched a couple games and RW put Michalek on that line for a bit as well. This line got hemmed in its own zone way too long for a checking line.


Milan and Brian

Milan looked better in game 7 and had some chances and played well defensively. He needs to chip in some goals to take the pressure of Cheechoo on that 1st line. Campbell looked lost out their at times with Murray giving up at least 2-3 breakaways that series. Calgary's relentless forecheck gave BC little space to skate or operate. Expect Dallas to try the same to make him a nonfactor. The playoffs are about adjustments. Brian needs to lead the offense, especially on the power play. Oh, and please beware of Mike Modano when on the pp on the point. I do not want to seem him going alone on Nabby. He has killed us shorthanded multiple occasions during the regular season.



Things to look for on Dallas

Sergei Zubov

Word on the street is that Sergei is practicing again and is day to day. If he comes back in this series an already lethal Dallas PP (2nd ranked in postseason) will certainly get even better.

Dallas defensemen

The injury to Boucher and Zubov has put the young Dallas defensemen right into the playoff fire. Niskanen, Fistric, and Grossman will have to deal with a much better group of forwards than Anahiem. Look for the Sharks to try to exploit these inexperienced D.

Steve Ott

The Calgary Flames never had an agitator in the truest sense. Fans hated Phanuf, but Dion was a superstar defensemen. An agitator doesn't need to score to get under your skin. Steve Ott fits that description. Think Sean Avery of the NYR. Will the Sharks remained disciplined when Ott tries to goad them into taking penalties? If not, this could be a very short series.

Niklas Hagman

Like Milan Michalek this guy posted goose eggs in the 1st round. Having scored 27 goals in the regular season, if he can't produce and the Sharks remained disciplined, Dallas will have a tough time getting secondary scoring aside from the Modanos, Riberos and Richards.