Sharks Dominate Ducks on Opening Night

It may be just one game in, but it looks like fans of the rest of the division were smart not to take me up on my challenge . The Sharks looked like a different animal on the ice tonight. From the opening faceoff, the opening night tilt between these division rivals had the feel of a playoff match-up. That's a good sign for the Sharks, because they won, something they have not always done in the post-season, by a final score of 4-1. They were 5:25 away from a shutout. There was early physicality, with Jeremey Roenick putting a big hit on Anaheim defenceman Steve Montador, closely followed by a bigger hit by star centre Joe Thornton on Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer. There was speed, an asset the Sharks have in abundance over almost any team in the league. There was scrappy defence, with a plethora of blocked shots by both teams. But more than that, there was new coach Todd McLellan's new style. Team Teal kept the pressure on, forcing the Ducks into seven penalties (the Sharks had just two) ... (link)