The Numbers
The Sharks won the season series, 3-0 with one of those wins coming via the shootout. The Canucks finished two points better in the standings, and will have home ice in the series, having won the Northwest Division for the 5th straight season.
| San Jose Sharks | Vancouver Canucks | |||
| Record | 25-16-7 | 11th | 26-15-7 | 8th |
| GF/Game | 2.42 | 24th | 2.54 | 19th |
| GA/Game | 2.33 | 6th | 2.40 | 9th |
| 5-on-5 SF/60 | 30.1 | 9th | 27.7 | 18th |
| 5-on-5 SA/60 | 28.0 | 12th | 28.7 | 14th |
| Fenwick Close | 52.41 | 9th | 51.68 | 12th |
| 5-on-5 Save % | .927 | 8th | .924 | 12th |
| 5-on-4 GF/60 | 6.6 | 13th | 5.1 | 21st |
| # of PP’s/Gm | 3.52 | 7th | 3.438 | 12th |
| 4-on-5 GA/60 | 5.1 | 6th | 5.8 | 12th |
| # of PK’s/Gm | 3.06 | 7th | 3.52 | 22nd |
Key Players
With 45 regular season and 71 career playoff points, the Canucks will need their all-time leading scorer to deliver if they want to advance.
The Sharks’ goalie finished tied for the league lead with 24 wins and posted 4 shutouts, one off the league lead. He’ll have his hands full trying to keep the Canucks’ talented forwards off the scoreboard.
Famous Current or Former Residents That May Alter Who You Root For
Vancouver
Michael J. Fox, Carly Rae Jepsen, Bryan Adams, Ryan Reynolds, 90210’s Jason Priestly, Pamela Anderson, Ryan Kesler.
San Jose
“Screech” from Saved By the Bell, Nikki Sixx, World Champion Eater Joey Chestnut, “Sawyer” from Lost, Olympic ping-ponger Michelle Do, Smashmouth.
Point/Counterpoint From the SB Nation Crew
Why you should root for the Vancouver Canucks -Nucks Misconduct
Why you should root for the San Jose Sharks – Fear The Fin
Mascot Battle Royale
History of Violence
Steve Pinizzotto vs Andrew Desjardins Apr 1, 2013 (via hockeyfightsdotcom)
Potential Headlines if…
San Jose wins: “It’s Vanc-OVER!”
Vancouver wins: “No Way, San Jose!”
You’re welcome, traditional media.
OTF Staff Picks
| Picks | Winner | Comment |
| Dirk | Vancouver | Kesler’s return gives them ridiculous talent up front. |
| Sam | San Jose | Two perennial powerhouses field their weakest teams in a while. Neither team makes it out of the West. |
| Caroline | Vancouver | I haven’t really paid much attention to either team this year, but San Jose always seems to choke. Nucks in 7. |
| Jonathan | San Jose | It will either be total dominance by Vancouver or a hard fought victory by SJ. Let’s just go with the latter since that would be more fun to watch. |
| Chris | Vancouver | San Jose Sharks and playoffs go together as well as plaid and stripes. Nuckleheads in 5. |
| George | Vancouver | Steady coaching, four dangerous lines, competent defense, and, oh, Mr. Chickenwing himself is showing up just in time to cheat—er, “play” for the ‘Nucks. Sharkies tank in 6. |
| Jason | San Jose | I’m a NorCal native, and I freaking hate the Canucks. Sharks in 7. |
Sharks vs. Canucks Series Schedule
| Date | Time (CTL) | Location | TV |
| Wednesday, May 1 | 9:30 p.m. | Vancouver | TSN, NBC Sports Network |
| Friday, May 3 | 9:00 p.m. | Vancouver | TSN, CNBC |
| Sunday, May 5 | 9:00 p.m. | San Jose | NBC Sports Network, TSN |
| Tuesday, May 7 | 9:00 p.m. | San Jose | CNBC, TSN |
| *Thursday, May 9 | 9:00 p.m. | Vancouver | TSN |
| *Saturday, May 11 | TBD | San Jose | TSN |
| *Monday, May 13 | TBD | Vancouver | TSN |
Who wins this series?
| San Jose Sharks | 28 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 20 |