San Jose Sharks ready to fight back in Game 2 against Vancouver Canucks – NHL Play-offs Preview
The San Jose Sharks are back in the same position they were in the last two consecutive play-offs and this time, they want to set things right. The Sharks will have an opportunity when they face-off against the Vancouver Canucks in game 2 of the Western
Conference play-off finals, to be held at the Rogers Arena, Vancouver, on Wednesday, May 18.
The Sharks had a 2-1 lead entering the third period in game one on Sunday, but they missed the opportunity and let Vancouver recover with two consecutive goals. San Jose has immense confidence in their goalie, Antti Niemi, who has a Stanley Cup under his
belt, which he won last year and is looking for a back-to-back cup again, with his current team.
With a 6-0 series record in the play-offs (including this one and the previous), the Sharks were not concerned about their loss in game 1, as the side knows they will bounce back some time or later.
Sharks forward, Dany Heatley said, “We have no concern, we're very confident with Nemo (Niemi), he's a very mellow guy. Without a good goalie you can't go anywhere.”
Heatley’s statement is true in the case of Chicago Blackhawks, who let Niemi go to the Sharks due to salary concerns. Since winning the Stanley Cup last year, Chicago had trouble getting themselves into the top eight and could not even get through the first
round, which just goes to show how important a good goal-tender really is for a team.
The Canucks have a great deal of respect for Niemi and know how talented he really is, when he is on top of his game.
Vancouver goalie, Roberto Luongo, on the other hand is having confidence issues of his own, as his performance in game 1 did give his team victory, but he is still not satisfied with himself. He blamed a broken stick for some of the mishaps last time and
did not speak with the media after their practice session.
Canucks rookie back-up goalie, Cory Schneider said, “He never gets a fair shake in this city and this league. If we win it's not because of him and if we lose it's his fault it seems like. It's kind of a lose-lose proposition for him.”
Niemi performed extraordinarily against the Los Angeles Kings who had a strong goalie in their net as well, Jonathan Quick, who in one game made a record 51 saves, for the first time in their franchises’ history. Niemi continued his winning streak in the
semi-final series against Detroit, who had veteran players when it comes to the play-offs. After nearly blowing up a 3-0 lead in the series, Niemi replied back in game-seven making 38 saves, to give them the series.
Both the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks have high expectations from this series. Vancouver and San Jose are both looking to grab their first Stanley Cup in their club history, which makes the encounter more exciting.
Canada has been in an 18-year drought and Vancouver is the Canadians’ only hope of bringing the cup home. The Sharks want to change history, as they have not been able to advance into the Stanley Cup finals even though they have reached the conference finals
on a number of occasions.
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