"These rivalry teams, it is funny how the season works when it comes down to these teams that have played against each other so much over the years and have so much familiarity," Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon said. "We know so much personnel wise what they're doing when they're at their best and they know what we're doing when we're playing Sharks hockey.
"A lot of the games, outside of one, this year were all one-goal games, coming down to that extra power play or penalty kill on either side."
But the Ducks have not faced the Sharks since San Jose acquired Evander Kane from the Buffalo Sabres. Sharks general manager Doug Wilson traded forward Danny O'Regan and conditional first- and fourth-round picks in the 2019 NHL Draft for Kane on Feb. 26. Kane had 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in 17 games with the Sharks.
The Ducks seemed to be motivated by the calendar, not any late additions to the roster. They went 10-1-1 in their final 12 games and are a lot like anyone facing a deadline: better under pressure.
"It is a grind and the pressure has been on for such a long time," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "You get immune to the pressure. Now it's more about reaching back and grabbing more. They feel confident they can achieve more than they already have. I think there's another gear."
