{"id":26684,"date":"2018-04-08T18:35:24","date_gmt":"2018-04-08T22:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=26684"},"modified":"2018-04-09T13:22:08","modified_gmt":"2018-04-09T17:22:08","slug":"anaheim-ducks-v-san-jose-sharks-first-round-matchup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/04\/08\/anaheim-ducks-v-san-jose-sharks-first-round-matchup\/","title":{"rendered":"Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks: First-Round Series Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Anaheim Ducks<\/a> stole the second spot in the Pacific Division in true Anaheim style \u2013 last game of the season, almost reminiscent of the way they won the division last year. And the year before. This year, the first round will showcase the Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks<\/a> in a battle of California teams.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/AnaheimDucks\/status\/983058739879014400<\/p>\n

Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks: First-Round Matchup<\/h1>\n

The Ducks ended the season on a five-game win streak, and a shutout for Ryan Miller<\/a><\/strong>. Captain Ryan Getzlaf<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0also notched his 50th assist of the season on Rickard Rakells<\/a><\/strong> 34th goal of the year. Josh Manson<\/a><\/strong> set a franchise record, ending his regular season with a +34 as a defenseman. The record for overall is held by Paul Kariya<\/a><\/strong> with +36 in the 1996-1997 season.<\/p>\n

The Sharks ended the season by dropping five of the last six, finishing the year with a loss to Minnesota. Starting goalie Martin Jones<\/a><\/strong> didn’t have a strong finish to the season, dropping four of his last five. Captain Joe Pavelski<\/a><\/strong> finished his season with 22 goals. His lowest goal total in a full season since 2012. Last year’s James Norris Memorial Trophy, Brent Burns<\/a><\/strong>, had a less than stellar season. After finishing with 29 goals and 47 assists in 2016-17, he only managed 11 goals this year.<\/p>\n

Captain v Captain<\/h2>\n

Captains Ryan Getzlaf and Joe Pavelski are both incredibly important to there respective teams. Ryan Getzlaf’s impact on the Ducks can be seen in every aspect of the teams play with and without him. The Ducks record with him is 35-16-5. He continuously leads the Ducks in assists every year and, this year, he played in 56 games and put up 61 points.<\/p>\n

Joe Pavelski played in 81 games this season. He put up 65 points (22 goals, 44 assists) in that span. As well as being a gritty player overall, he digs deep every shift. He lead the Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016 in his first season as captain. Pavelski also captained Team USA during the World Cup of Hockey is 2016.<\/p>\n

The edge goes to Ryan Getzlaf. Despite missing 26 games during the season, and playing with a team that was plagued with injuries all season, he lead his team to the postseason for the sixth consecutive season.<\/p>\n

\n

Most 60-points seasons, @AnaheimDucks<\/a> franchise history:<\/p>\n

Ryan Getzlaf: 9
Teemu Selanne: 8#NHLStats<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/7J1A1naggz<\/a><\/p>\n

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) April 7, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n