San Jose Sharks (2nd)
vs
Nashville Predators (7th)
Season Series
Game #171 - Sharks 4 @ Preds 4
Game #559 -
Sharks 5 @ Preds 4
Game #867 -
Preds 5 @ Sharks 4
Game #1177 - Preds 3 @
Sharks 4
Team Leaders
Predators
Goals: 35 - Martin St. Louis
Assists: 56 - Marc Savard
Points: 88 - Marc Savard
+/-: +17 - Marc Savard
PIMs: 136 - Ray Whitney
Dman: 48 Pts - Brad Stuart
Goal: Chris Osgood 35-24-4, .886 S%, 3.20 GAA, 2 Shutouts
Sharks
Goals: 42 - Daniel Briere
Assists: 63 - Daniel Briere
Points: 105 - Daniel Briere
+/-: +50 - Daniel Briere
PIMs: 210 - Chris Pronger
Dman: 74 Pts - Chris Pronger
Goal: Tim Thomas 43-20-5, .890 S%, 3.10 GAA, 3 Shutouts
While the Predators have a good mix of leaders the Sharks are dominated by two players. It's kind of the opposite of what I would've expected to see considering the Preds have relied on a handful of players all year whereas the Sharks have had 3 solid lines capable of scoring but Briere and Pronger have played on a tier above the rest all season.
Matchups
Forwards
Predators
The Preds top line of St. Louis, Savard and Jagr are a formidable trio and are more than capable of scoring a lot of goals. With Ray Whitney centering the 2nd line, it also gives GM Victor another option of placing either of the two big wingers down one line and icing two good scoring lines instead of one great one. The fifth and final true top 6 forward is JP Dumont and at 77ov he is a capable replacement for Jagr on the 1st line if necessary.
Beyond that, the talent really drops off but the majority of his 3rd/4th liners have respectable DF ratings so it should translate into solid grinding depth lines that could give the Sharks more trouble than they expect.
Sharks
Since joining the Sharks, Sid "The Kid" has been on fire centering the top line between Doan and Hossa. With 46 pts in 32 games for the Sharks, his points per game was significantly higher than the league's top point getter - Sharks second line center Daniel Briere. With two scoring wingers in Havlat and Frolov on Briere's wings, there's no reason why the second line shouldn't be able to fill in when the first line isn't getting it done.
The third line could very well be the difference maker in the series. Kozlov, Yashin and Murray are a big advantage over the Preds third line and will be counted on to score some timely goals.
Defense
Predators
The Preds have upgraded big time on the blue line, bringing in solid all-round Dman Brad Stuart to share top pairing minutes with stud Mattias Ohlund. With Tallinder heading up the 2nd pair and Prieissing and Martinek giving GM Victor options at 5 and 6, the Preds defense is looking pretty solid. If the top 3 guys can stay healthy, they will be a force to be reckoned with for the Sharks forwards.
Sharks
The Sharks boasted one of the deepest D corps in the league for more than half the season but traded away one of their 2nd tier guys, Dennis Wideman, in the Crosby deal. That left the Sharks with Hatcher playing full minutes in the #6 roll and has been a concern for GM Ryan since then. Still, the top 5 are an impressive bunch.
Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer lead the pack with Paul Ranger and Bryan Allen covering the 2nd line. Niclas Havelid is the best of the 3rd pairing and will have to be on his best to help cover Hatcher and his gaffs.
Goaltending
Predators
Both starting goalies facing off in the series will be out to prove something against their former teams. Preds netminder Chris Osgood is enjoying his first season as a legit #1 guy and has played decent all year.
Sharks
If it were the NHL, the Sharks would have a major advantage here. In the CPHL however, Tim Thomas is only slightly better than Osgood until next season and the goaltending should be fairly evenly matched throughout the series.
Chances
The Predators stand a good chance if they can find a way to contain the Sharks top two centers. They should be looking to come out strong and finish the series off as quickly as possible so as to not be forced into a long drawn out series. Depth is not the Predators strong point.
On paper, the Sharks should win this. In the SIM, much like in reality, anything can happen. Tim Thomas will have to be better than he looked to finish the season and the guys in front will have to do their part by keeping the shots against down and capitalizing on any chances they get.
When push comes to shove, this should be a good series and a fight to the finish but I just want to remind everyone that:
Sharks are the world's Top Predators
Sharks vs Predators - Conference Quarterfinal Preview
