Wednesday is the final meeting between the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks. The Pacific Division rivals have each won two a piece in this home and home series. Both teams have hit skids lately and are attempting to finish the season strong.
The Ducks were attempting to take advantage of the slumping Chicago Blackhawks in order to take hold of the conference, but the team has lost its last three games of a five-game homestand. They still hold a 10-point lead in the Pacific Division, locking them into a playoff spot. Anaheim was riding a a team-record 13-game home winning streak and 9-0-3 overall stretch, but were outscored 7-2 during this 5-game stretch. This will be the third time in 10 days the Ducks have faced San Jose. They lost to the team on Monday after digging themselves into a 3-0 hole early in the game. Francois Beauchemin scored his fifth goal of the season on Monday, boosting his plus/minus to a plus-21. He is one of the league's best defenseman.
The Sharks are trying to shake off a stretch that saw them losing seven of their last nine games. They looked motivated in their last game against the Ducks, jumping to a three-goal lead in the first period. They begin a seven-game home stretch where they are 8-1-4 overall. They are currently fighting for the final playoff spot in a competitive Western Conference. A long homestand could be what the team needs to get in solid position for the post season.
The Ducks will be without Nick Bonino who is on injured reserve for a lower body injury. The Sharks will be without Ryane Clowe who is day-to-day with a shoulder injury and goalie Thomas Greiss who hurt his neck.
