On To the Second Round

The Group of Sixteen has been whittled down to eight, some of them a little more tired than others after a number of Game Seven show downs to bring the first round to a close.

A few surprises came our way in the first round, while others moved on to the next round all be it with a little bit of a struggle.

A record number of Overtime games became the story in the first round, some epic struggles that saw teams surrender leads late in a game, only to claw their way back to victory in Overtime. (well, everyone but Toronto as it turned out)

Games which set the stage for some interesting matchup, all with their own storylines.

The Second round features the following showdowns for the quest for Stanley.

Click on each series below, to find out more about the teams looking to move into the third round.


Ottawa and Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH WINS the series 4 games to 1

San Jose and Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES WINS the series 4 games to 3

Detroit at Chicago
CHICAGO WINS the series 4 games to 3

New York Rangers at Boston
BOSTON WINS the series 4 games to 1

Stanley Cup Playoffs Round Two: Ottawa and Pittsburgh

The Second round sets up an interesting matchup between the Sens and Pens, one which has any number of sub plots making for the script of what may come.

The Cooke/Karlsson incident of the regular season, is the obvious starting point for the series, even if Erik Karlsson isn't inclined to make much of it.

The usual animosity that the two teams seem to generate between themselves is more of the current of this second round, as is the topic of goaltending, which has the Senators featured as the declared favourite when it comes to puck stopping abilities from Round One.

Coaching may also be a section where the Sens have the edge, Ottawa coach Paul MacLean is channelling Walrus power to new heights after the Sens dismissal of the Habs, he may add to the legacy should he find similar results against the star studded Penguins lineup.

Considering the troubles the Pens had with the Islanders in the first round, the match up with the Sens could make for a most entertaining and lengthy series.

Senators fans perhaps went into this playoff round, thankful of a spot in the sixteen team seedings, however after a most convincing victory over the Canadiens, Ottawa hockey fans (and those across Canada still hopeful for a Canadian based champion) may have good cause for a bit of confidence on the road to the finals in June.

PITTSBURGH WINS the series 4 games to 1

Tuesday, May 14-- Ottawa 1 at Pittsburgh  4 (18,621) 
Friday, May 17-- Ottawa 3 at Pittsburgh 4  ( 18,645  )
Sunday, May 19-- Pittsburgh 1 at Ottawa 2  (OT) (20,500) 
Wednesday, May 22-- Pittsburgh 7 at Ottawa 3 (20,500) 
Friday, May 24-- Ottawa 2 at Pittsburgh 6 (18,656) 


All Games on CBC, RDS and NBCSN

Media sources for the series
(some may feature a pay wall)


Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Sun
Globe and Mail
National Post
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
USA Today

Stanley Cup Playoffs, Monday, May 13, 2013

The Schedule for Monday, May 13th in the Quest for Stanley

Two game seven's on the schedule for tonight, winners advance, losers clean out their lockers

Washington  and New York Rangers

New York Rangers 5 at Washington 0 (18,506)
New York Rangers WIN the series 4 games to 3
8:00 PM ET/5 PM PT
TSN, RDS and NBCSN

Toronto and Boston

Toronto 4 at Boston 5 (OT) ( 17,565)
Boston WINS the series 4 games to 3
7:00 PM ET/4 PM PT
CBC,RDS, CNBC

Stanley Cup Playoffs, Sunday, May 12, 2013

The Schedule for Sunday, May 12th in the Quest for Stanley


Washington  and New York Rangers

Washington 0 at New York Rangers 1 (17,200)
Series is tied at 3 games to 3
4:30 PM ET/ 1:30 PT
TSN, RDS and NBCSN

Toronto and Boston

Boston 1 at Toronto 2 (19,591)
Series is tied at 3 games each 
7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT
CBC,RDS, CNBC


Anaheim and Detroit

Detroit 3 at Anaheim 2 (17,412)
Detroit WINS the series 4 games to 3
10 PM ET/7 PM PT
TSN and NBCSN/CNBC

Stanley Cup Playoffs, Saturday, May 11, 2013

The Schedule for Thursday, May 9th in the Quest for Stanley


New York Islanders and Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh 4 at New York Islanders 3  (OT) (16,170)
Pittsburgh WINS the series 4 games to 2
7:00 PM ET/ 4:00 PM PT 
TSN, RDS and NBCSN

Stanley Cup Playoffs, Friday, May 10, 2013

The Schedule for Wednesday, May 8th in the Quest for Stanley


Washington  and New York Rangers

New York 1 at Washington 2 (OT) (18,506)
Washington leads the series 3 games to 2
7:30 PM ET/ 4:30 PT
TSN, RDS and NBCSN

Toronto and Boston

Toronto 2 at Boston 1 (17,565)
Boston leads the series 3 games to 2 
7 PM ET/4 PM PT
CBC,RDS, CNBC


Anaheim and Detroit

Anaheim 3 at Detroit 4 (OT) (20,066)
Series is tied at 3 games each
8 PM ET/5 PM PT
TSN and NBCSN/CNBC


St. Louis and Los Angeles

St. Louis 1 at Los Angeles 2 (18,346)
Los Angeles WINS the series 4 games to 2 
7 PM ET/10 PM PT
CBC and CNBC/NBCSN 

Stanley Cup Playoffs, Thursday, May 9, 2013

The Schedule for Thursday, May 9th in the Quest for Stanley


Ottawa and Montreal

Ottawa 6 at Montreal 1 (21,273)
Ottawa wins the series 4 games to 1
7 PM ET, 4 PT
CBC, RDS, CNBC

New York Islanders and Pittsburgh

New York Islanders 0 at Pittsburgh 4 (18,636)  
Pittsburgh leads the series 3 games to 2
7:30 PM ET, 4:30 PM PT 
TSN and NBCSN

Minnesota and Chicago

Minnesota 1 at Chicago 5 (21,597)
Chicago Wins the Series 4 games to 1
9:30 ET, 6:30 PM PT
CBC or NBSCN

Stanley Cup Playoffs, May 8, 2013

The Schedule for Wednesday, May 8th in the Quest for Stanley


Washington  and New York Rangers

Washington 3 at New York Rangers 4 (17,200)
Series is tied at 2 games each
7:30 PM ET, 4:30 PT
TSN, RDS and NBCSN

Toronto and Boston

Boston 4 at Toronto 3 (OT) (19,708)
Boston leads the series 3 games to 1 
7 PM ET, 4 PM PT
CBC,RDS, CNBC


Anaheim and Detroit

Detroit 2 at Anaheim 3 (OT)  (17,395)
Anaheim leads the series 3 games to 2
7:30 PM PT, 10:30 ET
TSN and NBCSN/CNBC


St. Louis and Los Angeles

Los Angeles 3 at St. Louis 2   (OT)  (18,269)
Los Angeles leads the series 3 games to 2 
9 PM ET, 6 PM ET
CBC and CNBC/NBCSN 

Stanley Cup Playoffs, May 7, 2013

The Schedule for Sunday, May 7th in the Quest for Stanley


New York Islanders and Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh 4 at New York Islanders 6   (16,170)
Series is tied at 2 games each
Noon ET, 9 AM PT
TSN and NBCSN

Minnesota and Chicago

Chicago 3 at Minnesota 0  (19,378)
Chicago Leads the Series 3 games to 1
3 PM ET, Noon PT
CBC or NBSCN

Ottawa and Montreal

Montreal 2 at Ottawa 3 (OT) (20,500)
Ottawa leads series 3 games to 1
7 PM ET, 4 PT
CBC, RDS, CNBC

San Jose and Vancouver

Vancouver 3 at San Jose 4 (OT) (17,562)
San Jose wins the series 4 games to 0
7 PM PT, 10 ET
TSN and NBCSN/CNBC

Stanley Cup Playoffs, May 6, 2013

The Schedule for Monday, May 6th in the Quest for Stanley


Washington  and New York Rangers

Washington 3  at New York Rangers 4 (17,200)
Washington Leads the Series 2 games to 1
7:30 PM ET, 4:30 PT
TSN, RDS and NBCSN

Toronto and Boston

Boston 5 at Toronto 2 (19,746) 
Boston leads the series 2 games to 1 
7 PM ET, 4 PM PT
CBC,RDS, CNBC


Anaheim and Detroit

Anaheim 2 at Detroit 3 (OT) (20,066)
Series is tied at 2 games each
7:30 PM ET, 4 PM  ET
TSN and NBCSN/CNBC


St. Louis and Los Angeles

St. Louis 3 at Los Angeles 4 (18,334)
Series is tied at 2 games each
7 PM PT, 10 PM ET
CBC and CNBC/NBCSN 

Stanley Cup Playoffs, May 5, 2013

The Schedule for Sunday, May 5th in the Quest for Stanley


New York Islanders and Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh 5 at New York Islanders 4 (OT) (16,170)
Pittsburgh leads the series 2 games to 1
Noon ET, 9 AM PT
TSN and NBCSN

Minnesota and Chicago

Chicago 2 at Minnesota 3 (OT) (19,238 )
Chicago Leads the Series 2 games to 1
3 PM ET, Noon PT
CBC or NBSCN

Ottawa and Montreal

Montreal 1 at Ottawa 6 (20,249)
Ottawa leads series 2 games to 1
7 PM ET, 4 PT
CBC, RDS, CNBC

San Jose and Vancouver

Vancouver 2 at San Jose 5 (17,562)
San Jose Leads the series 3 games to 0
7 PM PT, 10 ET
TSN and NBCSN/CNBC

IIHF 2013 World Hockey Championships

That other shinny tournament that from time to time captures the attention of North Americans is underway, featuring a two week run that will provide the IIHF with its world champion for 2013.

Co hosted by Sweden and Finland, the sixteen team tournament dropped the puck on competition on Friday. Canada holding a spot in Group B, the USA over in Group A, North America's representatives made up of a collection of minor leaguers, college players and a collection of pros from the eliminated teams from the NHL playoffs.

The usual airlift of players from eliminated first round teams most likely won't be taking place this season owing to the late nature of the NHL playoffs this year (though Minnesota and Vancouver appear to inclined maybe to offer up some talent judging by their early round action).

Most North Americans don't really pay attention to the World Championships until the late elimination rounds when placement towards the medal round is on the line. If the teams aren't in the running, then most likely few are turning on their televisions.

TSN of course is hoping that isn't the case, they're coverage of the Worlds gets underway on Saturday.

You can follow the progress of the tournament from the IIHF World Championship website.

Tournament Standings

Items from HockeyNation on the Tournament

Shoot Out and OUT for Canada at the World Championships
Canada looks for Quarter Final success at the World Championships

Below the Day by Day schedule and results from the World Championships.

Sweden wins the GOLD Medal
Finland wins the SILVER Medal
USA wins the BRONZE Medal (shoot out)

Finals

Gold Medal Game

Switzerland 1 vs Sweden 5  

Bronze Medal Game

Finland 2 vs USA 3 (Shoot out)  


Semi Finals

Saturday, May 18

Finland 0 vs Sweden 3
Switzerland 3 vs USA 0

Quarter Finals

Thursday, May 16

Russia 3 vs USA 8
Switzerland 2 vs Czech Republic 1
Finland 4 vs Slovakia 3
Canada 2 vs Sweden 3  (Shoot Out)

Preliminary Round

Tuesday, May 14

Slovakia 4 vs USA 1
Belarus 1 vs Switzerland 4
France 2 vs Germany 3
Czech Republic 7 vs Norway 0
Latvia 2 vs Finland 3
Denmark 2 vs Sweden 4

Monday, May 13

Denmark 3 vs Belarus 2
Austria 4  vs Russia 8
Canada 4 vs Slovenia 3 


Sunday, May 12

USA 3 vs Germany 0
Canada 2 vs Czech Republic 1
Slovakia 1 vs Russia 3
Norway 1 vs Switzerland 3


Saturday, May 11

USA 4 vs France 2
Switzerland 4 vs Denmark 1
Finland 7 vs Austria 2
Sweden 2 vs Slovenia 0
Germany 2 vs Latvia 0
Norway 3 vs Belarus 1


Friday, May 10

Slovakia 1 vs Austria 2
Slovenia 2 vs Czech Republic 4
Russia 2 vs Finland 3
Belarus 1 vs Canada 4 

Thursday, May 9

Russia 1 vs France 2
Czech Republic 2 vs Denmark 1
Slovakia 3 vs Latvia 5
Sweden 0 vs Canada 3 

Wednesday, May 8

Austria 0 vs Germany 2
Slovenia 1 vs Switzerland 7
USA 4 vs Finland 1
Norway 1 vs Sweden 5

Tuesday, May 7

Austria 6 vs Latvia 3
Slovenia 2  vs Denmark 3
Russia 5 vs USA 3
Canada 7 vs Norway 1 

Monday, May 6

Germany 2 vs Slovakia 3
Switzerland 5 vs Czech Republic 2
Finland 3 vs France 1
Sweden 2 vs Belarus 1


Sunday, May 5

France 3 vs Austria 1
Belarus 4 vs Slovenia 3
Germany 1 vs Russia 4
Switzerland 3 vs Canada 2 (Shoot Out)
Latvia 1 vs USA 4
Norway 3 vs Denmark 2


Saturday, May 4

USA 5 vs Austria 3
Norway 3 vs Slovenia 1
Russia 6 vs Latvia 0
Canada 3 vs Denmark 1
Finland 2 vs Slovakia 0
Czech Republic 1 vs Sweden 2


Friday May 3

France 2 vs Slovakia 6
Czech Republic 2 vs Belarus 0
Finland 4 vs Germany 3
Sweden 2 vs Switzerland 3

Stanley Cup Playoffs May 4, 2013

The Schedule for Saturday, May 4th in the Quest for Stanley



New York Rangers at Washington

New York 0 at Washington 1 (OT) (18,506)
Washington Leads the Series 2 games to 0
12:30 ET, 9:30 AM PT
TSN, RDS and NBCSN


Toronto at Boston

Toronto 4 at Boston 2 (17,565)
Series is tied at 1 game each
7 PM ET, 4 PM PT
CBC,RDS, CNBC



St. Louis at Los Angeles

St. Louis 0 at Los Angeles 1 (18,118)
St. Louis leads the series 2 games to 1
7 PM PT, 10 PM ET
CBC and CNBC/NBCSN 

Anaheim at Detroit

Anaheim 4 at Detroit 0 (20,066)
Anaheim leads the series 2 games to 1
7:30 PM ET, 4 PM  ET
TSN and NBCSN/CNBC

Fearless! Er, Ok, Relatively Cautious Forecast Stanley Cup Playoffs 2013

Not wishing to just jump into the deep end of this year's Playoff Pool, we cautiously reviewed some of the opening night developments, though as things turn out, none of those results, really have changed our mind very much.

So, without any more rumination, trepidation or solicitation, here's Our fearless, make that, cautious quest at prognostication on the path to Stanley, starting with the Opening Round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Minnesota at Chicago

The Hawks for most of the season were rocketing up the standings, a team that seems more in tune with the one that won a Stanley Cup a few years back, than the ones that took the exit before the Stanley Cup final in recent ones. The Wild on the other hand, barely made the playoffs, in the final week of the regular season denying the Blue Jackets from a glimpse of success for this year.  The Hawks are far too  dominant a team to falter in this first round. We imagine they will make quick work of the Wild.

Chicago in 4


Los Angeles at St. Louis

The defending Stanley Cup champs ran the table last year climbing from an eighth place finish to grasp hold of Lord Stanley's mug. A team that surprised more than a few hockey fans with their tenacity through the playoffs, the hallmark of a Sutter led team is toughness and an ability to make the opponents earn each and every goal. Something that served them well last year, though the element of surprise was helpful then also.

This year, the first round opponent is a St. Louis team that had a pretty amazing, all be it, shortened regular season. Ken Hitchcock got the most out of his squad for the first four months, now that the tension is ratcheted up a bit more in the playoffs, he'll find that extra gear.

St. Louis in 5

Detroit and Anaheim

It's the old guard against the dis-respected, as the Red Wings launch yet another Stanley Cup campaign this time on the road in the shadow of Disneyland. The Wings are in that stage of every hockey team's flow, the old reliable lineup of years past has started to fade, some retired others probably on their way. The lineup regeneration has begun in the Motor City and yet, here they are back in the playoffs, always dangerous.

The Ducks on the other hand have any number of key players that somehow stay under the radar for most NHL fans, perhaps owing to their exile in Southern California, where even with their own Stanley Cup bragging rights of the last decade, they still seem to get overshadowed by the Kings.

That may change this year, the Wings will put up a fight, but the Ducks not only are younger and probably a little faster but they have a bit of a chip on their shoulder.

Anaheim in 6


New York Islanders and Pittsburgh

This will be quick, maybe not painless, but certainly quick.  The Penguins were built at the trading deadline for a long, long run in this years playoff round and even with Sidney Crosby sitting out the first round (or at least a portion of it) they'll make quick work of the Islanders.

The soon to be Brooklynites are a team with much potential for the future, though the history of the Islanders in recent years suggests a good portion of that could yet be squandered, but in the moment, there is probably no larger challenge for a team than to topple the Pens.

It won't happen...

Pittsburgh in 4

Ottawa and Montreal

The CBC most likely sacrificed small animals in the quest for a Montreal/Toronto matchup, the visits to the gypsies, the prayer cards all went for naught. The Leafs are off to Boston, the Habs will play the Senators. Still, that's a pretty nice consolation prize for Peter Mansbridge's retirement fund to cash in on. The two teams match up well, have a bit of a healthy dislike for each other (and as we've seen in game one, now can factor in outright anger over the Gryba hit) something that could play a factor before all is done.

On pure hockey the series offers up the potential of much to enjoy, the two teams separated by but a few points in the regular season. The momentum by season's end seemed to turn to the Senators, who with the added urgency of having to hold off threats to a playoff spot, seem to hit a stride through the final week of the season, add on some key lineup returns and the edge goes to the guys in the Red, White and Black

Ottawa in 7

New York Rangers and Washington

This will be a series that is well worth watching, can Ovechkin recapture his once dominating form, exorcising any number of past playoff ghosts for the Capitals. In a season where the Caps drifted from the start only to catch fire in the final month or so, the momentum of that burst of energy may carry them further into the playoff chase.

Then again, they play a team from the NHL's home turf, the hopes and wishes of the boss in the Big Tower no doubt that of a Stanley Cup parade and the residual buzz in the league's largest market. And of course, there's Tortorella, a Stanley Cup playoff just isn't as much fun when he's out of the spotlight, his feuds with the NY media, his quotes (short as some of them may be) provide for a banquet of content and keeps the game in the New York spotlight.

Why would anyone not want to keep Torts around for a round or two?

New York Rangers in 6

Toronto and Boston

They no doubt popped champagne at CBC HQ when the Leafs made the playoffs this year, their exile from post season play the thing of legend in Toronto and among the wandering Bedouins across the land that make up the LeafNation.

The bad news for all those dreamers in Toronto is that they are facing the Bruins, a team that while not quite the Big and the Bad of even the Vancouver series of a few years ago, still will punish the Leafs on every shift. It's always nice to get invited to a party, however for Toronto the stay won't be very long.

Bruins in 4

San Jose and Vancouver

Two teams that to their fans (and one or two NHL observers) are a conundrum, wrapped up in an enigma. The Sharks the best team (on paper) that has yet to play in a Stanley Cup Final, the Canucks a squad that came close, squandered a chance or two and then watched the Bruins take the Stanley Cup home to Boston. (Leaving the Vancouver Police, Fire and Ambulance Services, as well as the Provincial Courts to handle the fall out.)

Neither team, had a particularly impressive regular season, the cracks in the line up never more apparent than they are now heading into the playoff season.

Add in the strange drama still playing out in the Vancouver nets and it's best just to sit back and see which team survives that uneasy feeling that one mistake may be the fatal one. While we're not sure that Vancouver will be around for the long term planning of a Stanley Cup parade, we have even less confidence that San Jose will suddenly find that one thing to put them into a final, more than likely, disappoint will find a way to San Jose.

Vancouver in 6 


Our Advancing teams into Round Number Two

Chicago
St. Louis
Anaheim
Vancouver
Pittsburgh
New York Rangers
Boston
Ottawa

The long skate to Stanley will bring us to a Pittsburgh/Chicago Stanley Cup final

Though we do offer up one caveat to that brave forecast, that being that should the Senators advance to a second round and then defeat the Penguins, then as improbable as it may have seen at the start of the year, we may see the Sens make another appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.

Should they make it that far, they'll be full value to provide a surprise for this years playoff season.

Stanley Cup Playoffs May 3, 2013

The Schedule for Friday, May 3rd in the Quest for Stanley

Ottawa at Montreal

Ottawa 1 at Montreal 3 (21,273)
Series is tied at 1 game each
7 PM ET, 4 PT
CBC, RDS, CNBC

New York Islanders at Pittsburgh

New York Islanders 4 at Pittsburgh 3 (18,624)
Series is tied at 1 game each
7 PM ET, 4 PT
TSN and NBCSN

Minnesota at Chicago

Minnesota 2 at Chicago 5 (22,012)
Chicago Leads the Series 2 games to 0
9:30 ET, 6:30 PT
CBC or NBSCN

San Jose at Vancouver

San Jose 3 at Vancouver 2 (OT) (18,910)
San Jose Leads the series 2 games to 0
7 PM PT, 10 ET
TSN and NBCSN/CNBC

Stanley Cup Playoffs May 2, 2013

The Schedule for May 2nd in the Quest for Stanley

Ottawa at Montreal

Ottawa 4 at Montreal 2 (21,273)
Ottawa Leads the series 1 game to 0
7 PM ET, 4 PT
CBC, RDS, CNBC


New York Rangers at Washington

New York 1 at Washington 3 (18,506)
Washington Leads the Series 1 game to 0
7:30 ET, 4:30 PT
TSN and NBCSN


Los Angeles at St. Louis

Los Angeles 1 at St. Louis 2 (18,681)
Series is tied at 1 game each
9:30 ET, 7:30 CT, 6:30 PT
CBC and CNBC/NBCSN

Detroit at Anaheim

Detroit 5 at Anaheim 4 (17,182)
Series is tied at 1 game each
7 PM PT, 10 ET
TSN and NBCSN/CNBC

Stanley Cup Playoffs May 1, 2013

The Schedule for May 1st in the Quest for Stanley

Toronto at Boston

Toronto 1 at Boston 4 (17,565)
Boston Leads the series 1 game to 0
7 PM ET, 4 PT
CBC, RDS and CNBC/NHLUS

New York Islanders at Pittsburgh

New York Islanders 0 at Pittsburgh 5 (18,612)
Pittsburgh Leads the series 1 game to 0
7:30 PM ET, 4:30 PT
TSN and NBCSN

San Jose at Vancouver

San Jose 3 at Vancouver 1 (18,910)
San Jose leads the series 1 game to 0
7:30 PM PT, 10:30 ET
TSN and NBCSN/CNBC

2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Day by Day Register

Our archive of each day of playoff action in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.


June

Stanley Cup Final

June 24
June 22
June 19
June 17
June 15
June 12


Round Three (Conference Finals)

June 8
June 7
June 6
June 5
June 4
June 3
June 2
June 1

May

Round Two

May 29
May 28
May 27
May 26
May 25
May 24
May 23
May 22
May 21
May 20
May 19
May 18
May 17
May 16
May 15
May 14


Round One

May 13
May 12
May 11
May 10
May 9
May 8
May 7
May 6
May 5
May 4
May 3
May 2
May 1

April

April 30

Stanley Cup Playoffs April 30 2013

Opening night of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, games for Tuesday, April 30 2013

Minnesota  at Chicago

Chicago 2 - Minnesota 1 (21,428)
Chicago leads series 1 game to 0
8 PM ET/7 CT/5 PT
CBC and NBCSN

Los Angeles Kings at St. Louis Blues

St. Louis 2 - Los Angeles 1 (17,612)
St. Louis leads series 1 game to 0
8PM ET/7 CT/5 PT
CBC and CNBC/NBCSN

Detroit Red Wings at Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim 3 - Detroit 1 (17,200)
Anaheim leads series 1 game to 0
7:30 PT/9:30 CT/10:30 ET
TSN and NBCSN/CNBC

Stanley Cup Playoffs Round One: San Jose and Vancouver

Two teams that truly confound not only their fans, but hockey observers in general will square off in the West this week.

Both the San Jose Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks have been under performers over the last few years. The Canucks who not too long ago challenged for the Stanley Cup have never quite managed to recapture that magic that led them to the Bruins a few years back.

The Sharks year after year leave their fans wondering just when the breakthrough will come, early exits have been the nature of San Jose for a while now, a promise never quite fulfilled, despite at times a line up that by all accounts had all the answers.

It hasn't been so for San Jose this season, nor has Vancouver particularly impressed with their play, so this series will provide for a positive result for one of the two, what they do with that bump is truly anyone's guess.

San Jose Wins the Series 4 games to 0

Wednesday, May 1-- San Jose 3 at Vancouver 1  (18,910)
Friday May 3-- San Jose 3 at Vancouver 2 (OT) (18,910)
Sunday, May 5-- Vancouver 2 at San Jose 5 (17,562)
Tuesday, May 7-- Vancouver 3 at San Jose 4 (OT) (17,562)


All Games on TSN,  and CNBC/NBCSN

Media sources for the series
(some may feature a pay wall)


San Jose Mercury News
San Francisco Chronicle
Globe and Mail
National Post
Vancouver Sun
Vancouver Province

TSN Series Preview
HNIC Preview
ESPN Preview