Stanley Cup Preview: An East Vs West Battle!

Heading into last nights game (11/20) between the Philadelphia Flyers and the San Jose Sharks the two teams stood at #1 and #2 in goals for to Goals Against. The Flyers held the down the #1 spot with an impressive +20 with the Sharks right behind them at +19.

The two teams are both improved from a season ago with C. Pronger joining the club in Philly and the accusation of Dany Heatley to the Sharks both players have made an impact from the start in their new threads.

The Sharks always have a strong regular season team that can't seem to get the job done in playoff hockey. Last season was no exception as they were the number one seed that got knocked out of the second season in six games to the eight seeded Mighty Ducks in the first round of the playoffs. The Ducks had Pronger on defense last season but now would see him in a Philly uniform. In this early season the Sharks are currently the number one seed again. Can this be the season they finally represent the West? I think yes.

With their new sniper (D. Heatley 17 Goals) and the leagues best set up man (J. Thornton 24 Assists)add in the mix the always reliable goal keep Evgeni Nabokov (2.20 G.A.A). This could be the year the finally make something happen in.

+20. The Leagues best heading into last night's play Goals For to Goals Against. Why? He goes by the name of Chris Pronger. Not only does Chris keep the puck out of his teams defensive zone he attacks the opposing teams. With 4 goals and 14 assists Pronger is a +14. Chirs is the main reason Philly has only given up 45 goals in 18 games played this season before last nights battle.

Last nights bill between the leagues two elite teams stood up to it's expectations till 11:19 of the final session in a one goal game when the set up man (J. Thornton) hit the sniper (D. Heatley) for the second time of the evening on a similar type play as their first hook up. All though it wasn't much of a snip as Thornton hooked up two beautiful passes for the goals that lead to the win. This hook up between the two was when the Sharks were down a man and it made for a 4-2 game. Later on the Sharks would get a power play chance and Heatley would finish off his trick while the Sharks would add another goal take the two points in a 6-3 win.