ap exhange
The Vancouver Canucks are trying to prove that they are more then just pretenders while the San Jose Sharks are making their second straight appearance in the conference finals. The Canucks took care of the Nashville Predators, who made their first trip to the conference semi-finals in their team's history. Nashville was no easy out as the goalies for both teams were outstanding. Vancouver had a slip up in round one but looked much more determined against the Predators. Ryan Kesler came alive and really jump started the team when they needed it the most while the Sedin Twins are looking like playoff novices. The Sedins tore up the regular season once again but since the playoffs have begun they have been M.I.A. That will need to change or yet another President's Trophy winning team will see their season end early. Vancouver was the pick of many during the regular season to make it to the finals and now only one team stands in their way.
The San Jose Sharks needed to eliminate the Detroit Redwings for the second straight season to move on to the conference finals and they proved that was no easy task. The Sharks looked to finish off the Redwings quickly after taking a 3-0 lead in the series but the Wings pushed them to the brink in game 7. San Jose has basically the same team as they did last season but with one key difference, Antti Niemi. Niemi was a key component to the Blackhawks sweeping the Sharks in the conference finals last year and ultimately beating the Flyers for the Stanley Cup. Thanks to an arbitrator in the off season the Hawks were forced to part ways with the cup winning goalie who then signed in San Jose. The Sharks will defintely look to make this trip to the conference finals a better one that last year. The emergence of Logan Coture has been key for the Sharks on their journey as the rookie has been outstanding. Coture did play in the playoffs last season but with an entire season under his belt is making impressive strides to help his team advance. The Sharks will need all of their big guns if they want to beat Vancouver and eventually win it all and that means players like Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau will need to step up.
X Factor
Roberto Luongo needs to prove that he is more than just regular season goalie with a big performance in the conference finals as he is in unfamiliar territory. If he doesn't they still have Corey Schneider to back him up but the conference finals are a difficult place to just jump in and play well for a young goalie.
Vancouver is the favorite in this series but in the NHL playoffs that means very little while at times the Sharks looked mighty impressive against the Redwings. They also looked like they didn't belong in the playoffs at times which is why the series went 7. The Sharks have to realize where they are and can not take their foot off the pedal.
Sharks in 7
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