Stanley Cup Playoffs, day 38: Orcas vs. Sharks

If the world does come to its end on May 21, 2011, then game three of the Western Conference Finals between the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks will probably be the last hockey game we get to see. It had better be a damn good one.

The Canucks have a 2-0 series lead after sweeping the first two games in Vancouver, so the Sharks will desperately need to use home ice to its fullest advantage for any chance to get back into the series. (Hopefully they're not counting on "Dominant" Dany Heatley to power them back into the series, though... that's not his style.) Patrick Marleau can only lose so many fights before his teammates step up, right?

For the Sharks to win, Joe Thornton will have to continue providing the leadership he's been providing so far (I'm as surprised to type that as you are to read it), and supporting players like Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture are going to have to step up. For Vancouver, if the Sedins can keep leading the way offensively (they've combined for 7P in the two games so far) and Kevin Bieksa can continue playing like Bobby Orr, it might not matter how the Sharks' forwards play.

We'll find out tonight. Spend your last night on Earth with us here on Silver Seven!