Rival Sharks, Ducks Gear Up for Game 1
Sports rivalries between California teams are always intense.
When it comes to hockey, there isn't much of a history, but that's about to change. The San Jose Sharks visit the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 of a first-round Western Conference matchup on Thursday night at Honda Center.
This is the 14th playoff series between California teams and only the second between San Jose and Anaheim.
In 2009, the Sharks entered the postseason as Presidents' Trophy winners and with franchise records of 53 wins and 117 points.
The eighth-seeded Ducks pulled off the upset in six games.
This season, Anaheim (44-25-13) finished on a 10-1-1 run to ease past San Jose and the Los Angeles Kings into second place in the Pacific Division.
Author's summary: Sharks and Ducks face off in Game 1.