Tonight’s game against the Ducks should be a doozy. I invite you to read Sleek’s post at BoC’s on the game tonight. The reason I’m eagerly awaiting this matchup is not because of the playoff implications, however. I think the Sharks certainly have the upper hand to the #2 seed, and with several games against L.A. and Phoenix, it’s ours to lose. Even if we lost all the remaining games to the Ducks and Stars we could still capture the #2.

Of course I am worried about these upcoming games being a playoff preview. It’s likely that the Sharks will have to go through one or both of the Pacific teams to win the West. If we manage to crater even when we’re on this good streak, I don’t like our chances. So here’s my internal multiple-personality-disorder point/counterpoint on the game tonight:

Why the Sharks Will Win

• They’ve gotten a point in 14 straight games, and are playing their best hockey of the season by miles
• Ducks don’t have Stompy McCutYourLeg
• The Ducks-Sharks matchup has gone to the shootout 4 times out of six this season, and we have the Secret Shootout Weapon – Joe Pavelski (10 of 13 lifetime).
• Semenov is a likely healthy scratch
• SOU-PY! SOU-PY! SOU-PY!

Why the Ducks Will Win

• They own the Sharks this season (5-0-1)
• They get to play the Sharks at home, who are only 18-13-6. But the Ducks are 17-17-1 away. Hm, maybe that’s a wash.
• Ducks are 27-10-4 since Mr. My-Vajayjay-Hurts-and-I-Don’t-Want-To-Come-To-Camp-Or-Play-The-First-Three-Months kicked Andy McDonald out on his keister.
• Todd Bertuzzi has remembered that being 6-3, 245 with good hands is actually an asset in the NHL.
• The gravitational field caused by Giguere’s giant pads is growing inversely proportional to the amount of hair he has.

See you there.