Sharks, Ducks begin 2008-09 slate in San Jose

A pair of Pacific Division rivals, as well as Stanley Cup hopefuls, will meet tonight in Silicon Valley as the San Jose Sharks welcome the Anaheim Ducks to HP Pavilion. Both teams made the postseason last spring, but neither lived up to expectations. The Ducks, who became the first West Coast team to win the Stanley Cup in 2007, was bounced out by Dallas in last year's opening round. San Jose beat Calgary in the first round, but was also knocked out by the Stars in the conference semifinals, marking the third straight year that the Sharks were eliminated in the second round. A change may have been in order after the team was ousted in the 2007 postseason and Sharks general manager Doug Wilson nearly did fire Ron Wilson, but opted instead to give the head coach a last chance in 2007-08. Shortly after San Jose was knocked out... [read full story]