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First Round Odds &
Ends
Secrecy the norm come playoff time
| FIRST ROUND
SCHEDULE |
| Date |
Game |
Time |
| 4/14 |
Game 1: LA @ SJ |
7:00 p.m. |
| 4/16 |
Game 2: LA @ SJ |
7:00 p.m. |
| 4/19 |
Game 3: SJ @ LA |
7:30 p.m. |
| 4/21 |
Game 4: SJ @ LA |
7:30 p.m. |
| 4/23 |
*Game 5: LA @ SJ |
7:30 p.m. |
| 4/25 |
*Game 6: SJ @ LA |
TBD |
| 4/27 |
*Game 7: LA @ SJ |
TBD |
| * - if necessary |
Some odds and ends as we head to Thursday's series
kickoff with the Kings. With the regular season just ending on Sunday, news and
info the upcoming Sharks opening round series with the Los Angeles Kings is
just starting to trickle in.
» Just a reminder that all practices
during the playoffs are closed to the public. Attending open practices are big
with the Sharks faithful, but you can forget it during the NHL's second season.
With all the secrecy regarding injuries, there's no chance that the Sharks (or
any other club for that matter) will allow spies in the practice facility to
see who's game and who's not.
» Speaking of injuries, forward
Ryane Clowe was given a clean bill of health heading into Game 1. The Sharks
forward missed the last two games of the regular season. He skated for the
first time in a week on Monday and met with reporters after
practice.
» The Kings appear to ready to welcome Justin Williams
back to the lineup after his shoulder was signed off on by doctors this past
weekend. Williams separated that shoulder earlier this season.
»
No word on Anze Kopitar, but when he broke his ankle four weeks ago, the
prognosis was a six week return at the earliest.
» The Sharks
have announced that after a team vote, they will wear their black jerseys for
all home games during the playoffs. Kings marketing theme this post season:
"Back in Black".
» Sharks defenseman Ian White: 401 career NHL
games, 0 playoff appearances. He would have missed them for the 9th straight
season had the Sharks not rescued him from Carolina. Here's hoping he makes the
most of his first playoff run.
» I still can't get passed the
fact that Jamal Mayers dyed his eyebrows to look like tiger stripes back in the
day when he played for the St Louis Blues. I've been waiting all year to bust
that back out.
» All Sharks first round games will be televised
on CSN California in case you were wondering.
» No word from the
Kings on if they will ask fans to refrain from sucker-punching anyone wearing
teal in the back of the head when the series shifts to Southern California next
Tuesday for Game 3. It's advised that all Sharks fans attending the game at
Staples Center wear their hockey helmets to the game. Visors are optional.
» The Sharks have five former Cup winners on their roster (Antti
Niemi, Ben Eager, Niclas Wallin, Dan Boyle, and Kent Huskins). The Kings only
have two (Rob Scuderi and Dustin Penner).
» If you're planning on
catching up on what Kings fans are saying about the series, I encourage you to
checkout LetsGoKings.com. Not because their name is a lot like ours, but
rather because it's one of the oldest and well run forums on the internet. The
publisher, Mike Zampelli, is a pioneer in bringing the internet and hockey
together. LGK and The BottomFeeder (our original site name) were both part of
the original Rivals.com network back in the day.
»
LAKingsInsider.com is also a nice place for info on the Kings.
Blogger Rich Hammond is a professional scribe who runs a great source of Kings
news and info.
» Not to jinx things, but every "expert"
contributor on ESPN.com picks the Sharks to take the opening round series. None
of the eight contributors is picking a sweep, and only John Buccigross thinks
the series will go seven games. More
here
» A TSN readers poll has the
Vancouver Canucks taking it all. TSN is the ESPN of Canada, so it's not
surprising to see their readers choose the President's Trophy winners. 35% of
voters pick the Canucks. The Red Wings are a distant 2nd, garnering 10% of the
vote. I'm hoping the curse of the President's Trophy strikes in the 2nd round.
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