No. 1 San Jose vs. No. 8 Colorado
No. 1 San Jose vs. No. 8 Colorado
Records: Sharks 51-20-11, Avalanche 43-30-9
Power Play: Sharks 21.0% (fourth), Avalanche 18.1%(15th).
Penalty Killing: Sharks 85.0% (fifth), Avalanche 80.2% (21st).
Leading scorers: Sharks: Joe Thornton 20-69—89. Avalanche: Paul Stastny 20-59—79.
Outlook: The Sharks had some flat stretches but finished with eight wins in their last 10 games. Patrick Marleau (44-39—83) and Dany Heatley (39-43—82) combine with Thornton to form a formidable first line, and Joe Pavelski (25-26—51) has come into his own. The Avalanche won only three of its last 10 games, battered by injuries to rookie sensation Matt Duchene (torso) and Peter Mueller (concussion). They’re questionable for Wednesday’s opener. Even the Sharks, notorious playoff flops the last few seasons, can’t blow this.
Pick: San Jose in five.
SCHEDULE
Wednesday at San Jose, 7:30 p.m.
Friday at San Jose, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday at Colorado, 6:30 p.m.
April 20: at Colorado, 7 p.m.
April 22: at San Jose, 7:30 p.m.-x
April 24 at Colorado, TBD-x
April 26: at San Jose, TBD-x
x-if necessary; all times Pacific
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