Postseason appearances are nothing new for the Ducks, who are making their sixth consecutive trip to the big dance. It equals the second-longest streak in the NHL, behind only the Pittsburgh Penguins who have 12 consecutive playoff appearances. (The Minnesota Wild also has six). This marks the 14th overall appearance in the playoffs and the 11th in the last 13 years for the Ducks. With an all-time playoff record of 89-69, including a 51-32 mark at Honda Center and a 38-37 record on the road, the Ducks have appeared in 28 playoff series (16-12), including two Stanley Cup Final appearances (2003 and 2007). In the First Round, the Ducks are 42-31 and have moved on to the Second Round eight times in 13 appearances.
"This is the best time of the year to be playing," said Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf, who ranks first in franchise history in postseason appearances (121), points (118), goals (37) and assists (81), co-leads in power-play goals (15) with Teemu Selanne and ranks third in game-winning goals (6). "We worked a lot through the second half of the season on getting to where we wanted to be now. We want to go out and take advantage of it."
Although this is the eighth time in NHL history that two California teams will meet in the playoffs, it is just the second time the Ducks and Sharks will met. The lone series came in 2009 when the Ducks (eighth seed) eliminated the Presidents' Trophy-winning Sharks in six games. Three current Ducks and Sharks appeared in that series - Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Francois Beauchemin for Anaheim, and Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski and Marc-Edouard Vlasic for San Jose.
Because these clubs meet so often during the regular season, Getzlaf says there will not be any surprises. Execution, he says, will be the difference. "We know the opponent. We know who we're up against," he said. "They're a good hockey team that's played well all year. It's about going out and doing what we do, and doing it better than them."
On the injury front for San Jose, Thornton remains out with a right knee injury suffered on January 23. The 38-year-old center missed the last 35 games of the regular season, but remains a possibility in this series moving forward.
Following a 2-2-1-1-1 format, Games 1 and 2 will be held here in Anaheim. Games 3 and 4 will take place in San Jose. If necessary, the series will return to Anaheim for Game 5, go back to San Jose for Game 6 and finish off in a do-or-die Game 7 at Honda Center.
Broadcast Schedule
Game 1 at Honda Center
Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. PDT (Prime Ticket/KSPN 710AM)
Game 2 at Honda Center
Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. PDT (Prime Ticket/KSPN 710AM)
Game 3 at SAP Center
Monday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. PDT (Prime Ticket/AM 830)
Game 4 at SAP Center
Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. PDT (Prime Ticket/KSPN 710AM)
Game 5* at Honda Center
Friday, April 20 (time TBD) (TV: TBD, Radio: TBD)
Game 6* at SAP Center
Sunday, April 22 (time TBD) (TV: Prime Ticket/AM830)
Game 7* at Honda Center
Tuesday, April 24 (time TBD) (TV: TBD, Radio: TBD)
*if necessary
