There is some serious history behind the Sharks and Red Wings rivalry, from playoff upsets to hard fought regular season match ups - it's no wonder why this has become one of the most anticipated playoff match ups for Red Wings fans, and more importantly for Sharks fans. In the Sharks 17 season history, they have met the Detroit Red Wings three times in the playoffs. Compared to the Red Wings, the Sharks are still infants in the hockey world, becoming a team in 1991 versus the Red Wings founding in 1926. The Sharks have zero Stanley Cups, 1 Presidents' Trophy (given to the best team in the regular season), and have only made it to the Western Conference Finals once (03-04). Detroit in comparison has won 11 Stanley Cups, 6 Presidents' Trophies, and have been to the WCF many times - including the last two seasons, where they won their latest Stanley Cup in 07-08.But there is an interesting storyline when it comes to the Sharks and Red Wings. Take the Sharks first playoff experience in 93-94, in the first two seasons for the Sharks resulted in the worst record in the league, winning only 17 games in 91-92 and 11 wins in 92-93. Yet, the 93-94 playoffs rolled around and the Sharks found themselves not only in the playoffs but facing the Red Wings in the Western Conference Quarter Finals. Detroit was number 1 in their Division and were expected to steam roll passed San Jose, yet the Sharks pushed them to a game 7 and won. Detroit got their revenge the next season when they beat San Jose 4 in a row to sweep the Semi Finals without a single loss. The most recent playoff match up was a disappointment for Sharks fans as Detroit took the 06-07 Semi Finals in 6 games. Here we are again, 09-10 Semi Finals and it's the Sharks versus the Red Wings, but this time could be different. The Sharks are a different beast and even though they suffered 3 regular seasons losses (out of 4), the Sharks not only have a different look but a different kind of bite that could make this series one of the more contested in this rivalry's history.
Before Todd McLellan (pictured above) took over as head coach for San Jose in 08-09, he was the assistant coach in Detroit for 3 years. When he took over the bench in SJ, he brought with him a lot of the plays, style, and skill honing that the Red Wings have been known for and have used to make a successful hockey team. Some key changes were active defensemen who jumped into the offensive zone, controlling and winning board battles, and a puck possession style of gameplay. While these points are used by all of the teams in the NHL, the Red Wings have mastered them and if the Sharks have any chance of winning round 2, they have to prove that they've mastered them as well. Even though the Sharks have only been working under this system for less than two seasons, their improvement in these areas is undeniable. Take Dan Boyle who leads all defensemen in scoring in the playoffs. A key part of the Sharks win over the Avalanche was their ability to win board battles not only in their own zone but they were also able to strip pucks from the other team and shove them into the net. And about the Sharks 14 minutes of solid puck possession, well I think that one is self explanatory. I do believe the Sharks are better equipped this time around to be able to defeat the Red Wings and make it past round 2, but to do that, there are some other key areas and battles that they will have to win. There are also some players that I haven't mentioned or mentioned very little that have to come up big for the Sharks, it's going to take the whole team to defeat a group as solid and technically sound as Detroit. 
San Jose Goalie: Evgeni Nabokov (#20) - Nabokov (pictured above) has a pretty bad record against the Detroit Red Wings and if it was last season, I would be seriously worried. Not known as a good playoff performer, Nabby was clinch against the Avs, stealing a couple of W's for his team. In the entire series, he only had one bad game and in that game, he really only had one bad period. #20 was able to regroup and collect himself to keep his team in the hunt and the Sharks ultimately won that game. So I have confidence that Nabby can and will keep his team in the hunt for the cup.Detroit Goalie: Jimmy Howard (#35) - Drafted by the Red Wings in 2003, Howard (pictured at top) was called up to the NHL just this season and his rookie year has been stellar, so stellar in fact that he was named a Calder Trophy nominee for rookie of the year. Though he doesn't have any previous playoff experience, Howard definitely proved himself in Detroit's first round against the Phoenix Coyotes. And for those of you who aren't hockey history buffs, my all time favorite player, the reason why I wear #33 - Patrick Roy (pronounced wah) was a rookie goaltender with the Montreal Canadians in 1986 when he helped them win a Stanley Cup and was named the MVP of the playoffs. Patrick Roy proved that even a rookie goalie can win championships for their team and I'm sure Howard is going to do his absolute best for Detroit.
San Jose Defensemen: Jason Demers (#60), Kent Huskins (#40), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (#44) - Everyone knows I Love SJ defensemen Murray, Boyle, and Blake - and for good reason. But there are three other Sharks defensemen that while they don't get mentioned a lot in the reviews and highlight reels, they are a key cog of the San Jose machine. Demers is a rookie d-man, called up from the Sharks affiliate team in Worcester and he has done an outstanding job for the Sharks. Defense is probably the hardest position to play, especially with so many demands to be both offensively productive and defensively sound. Demers is in the top 25 in assists this playoffs and has been a very affective member of the Power Play. Huskins was brought over from Anaheim last season but didn't play because of a broken foot. His first games back on the ice in 09-10 were rough but he quickly found his legs again and has been a quiet yet strong force in the Sharks' own zone with his great defensive plays. Huskins also had a breakaway of his own and has been a solid part of the Penalty Kill. I've always been critical of Vlasic (pictured above), paired with Captain Rob Blake, it's an odd couple kind of match since Vlasic is one of the youngest Sharks players and Blake is the oldest. Yet, despite his age, Vlasic has been a permanent member (unlike Demers, who has been shuttled back and force from minors to SJ) of the Sharks for quite a few years. He played tremendously last season but seemingly broke down during the post season. He was sidelined this year with an injury that kept him out for a few weeks, but he's slowly got back into a rhythm and has come up big. While, I still think he plays the defensive zone weakly, his style of play hasn't cost the Sharks yet which is apparent by his zero plus/minus rating (+1 is given to a player who is on the ice when his team scores, -1 is given to a player who is on the ice when his team is scored against).Detroit Defensemen: All 6 - 4 of the 6 Red Wing defensemen are in the top 15 in the playoffs for scoring compared to the Sharks 2. They are like forwards in their own right, activating from the point and dropping deep in the offensive zone. They are lethal, not only in an even strength (5 on 5) match up but they are just as deadly on the Penalty Kill. Yes, when they are down a man, the Red Wings are just as deadly and have scored many short-handed goals. Don't get me started on the Power Play, let's just say they convert almost every time, so the sharks need to keep out of the box to win this series.
San Jose Forward: Manny Malhotra (#27), Torrey Mitchell (#17), Scott Nichol (#21) - Faceoffs are going to be huge in this series. With both teams being powerful puck possessors, the faceoff is one of the sure ways to get control of the puck early. Losing a faceoff in your own zone could result in a goal for the other team while winning one in the offensive zone could give you a marker on the scoreboard. Manny Malhotra was the number 1 faceoff guy in the league (though he didn't quality for official recognition because he did not draw enough faceoffs in the regular season) with a 72.3 win percentage in the playoffs. Manny is one of the Sharks clinch players, great on the PK and a strong defensive forward. Mitchell was out for almost two full seasons with a broken leg that he suffered during training camp. Speedy #17 is back and has been playing with Jumbo and Patty while Heater was on the mend. With his speed and skill, Mitchell is a great addition to the Sharks and while he hasn't scored yet, he has threatened to quiet a bit. Scotty Nichol did have enough faceoff draws to be named the number 1 guy in the league with a 62.4 win percentage. I mentioned Nichol as being a key factor for the Sharks win over the Avs and I'm sure he will be a big part of their success against the Red Wings with his great ability to antagonize and pester the other team. Detroit Forward: Pavel Datsyuk (#13) - Datsyuk is like Detroit's Joe Thornton, he makes beautiful plays out of unfathomable situations. Unlike Jumbo Joe, he also scores a lot. If he has the puck, he is deadly and if he doesn't have the puck, he is equally as deadly. While there are many lethal forwards for the Red Wings, Datyuk is one that and will tip the scales towards his team. When playing against Phoenix in game 7, he scored the first 2 goals, helping his team get rolling and eventually win the game and the series.
This could and will be a turning point for the San Jose Sharks, for good or for worse. General Manager Doug Wilson made it very clear after last year's horrific round 1 loss that there would be no "next year" after this season. With many players coming to the end of their contracts, Doug Wilson promised huge changes (and delivered some) if the Sharks did not find post-season success. The Sharks have found a little of that success with their defeat of Colorado, but will they be able to to muster enough will and skill to topple the giant that is Detroit? Only time will tell if the Sharks finally have what it takes to reach the end of all ends - the Stanley Cup.
