JEN:
Step in my Delorian. We're going to take a ride back to September 26, 2010. The Ducks and Sharks are facing off at HP Pavilion. The game wasn't available to us to see, but we could stream the play-by-play online. What we proceeded to hear was not a scene from Roadhouse, but a hockey game. A game that had 6 fights and 144 penalty minutes between both teams. Both squads were full of players wanting to make an impact on their respective head coach by pummeling a hated rival. I expect nothing but bloodlust again tonight. It doesn't matter what time of year it is. I will always hate these guys.
Randy Carlyle rested Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Bobby Ryan last night against the Coyotes. We know there is no love lost between RPG and the Sharks top line of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and...umm...(think Jen, think! The guy that wore the mock turtleneck is gone)...Gunnar Stahl? Cross your fingers that our guys remember that the pre-season doesn't count and they need to save their stupid, unnecessary fights for the regular season. Carlyle also decided to hold off again on testing Jonas Hiller in net. Jeff Deslauriers and Iiro Tarkki will be sharing the playing time.
Keep in mind that the Ducks are playing 5 pre-season games in a span of 6 days. We should see several combinations of the team in the upcoming games. As for tonight, we're going more for size and brute strength than we are speed. Both J.F. Jacques and George Parros are in the lineup. That should tell you right away what kind of game Carlyle is expecting. So, if you're headed to the game and you're sitting close, might want to wear one of those ponchos they give away at Gallagher shows. If last year is any indication, this one is gonna be bloody.