San Jose (0-0-0) at Colorado (0-0-0)

  • Game info: 10:00 pm EDT Thu Oct 1, 2009
  • TV: VS.

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO, STATS Writer Oct 1, 12:06 am EDT

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It would be understandable if the San Jose Sharks spent their summer stewing over perhaps the most disappointing of all their recent early playoff exits.

They’ll try to put that behind them and start a new quest for the first Stanley Cup title in franchise history Thursday night when they open the 2009-10 season on the road against the Colorado Avalanche, who will retire Joe Sakic’s(notes) No. 19 before taking the ice.

The Sharks got off to an impressive 25-3-2 start last season and finished with franchise records and NHL bests of 53 victories and 117 points to win their first Presidents’ Trophy.

That outstanding regular season didn’t translate to success in the postseason, however. San Jose lost to Anaheim in six games during the opening round of the playoffs, becoming just the third team since the current format was adopted for the 1993-94 season to fail to make the second round after posting the most points in the regular season.

It was the fourth consecutive playoff flop for the Sharks, who haven’t made it out of the second round since 2003-04 despite totaling the second-most points in the NHL over that stretch. Three of those series losses have come against lower-seeded opponents.

“I’ve only been here a year and I’m already sick of it,” defenseman Dan Boyle(notes) said. “I don’t want to talk about playoffs. We’re 82 games away from the playoffs. There’s no sense talking about it now.”

The last team to win the Presidents’ Trophy and get bounced in the first playoff round was the Red Wings, and Sharks coach Todd McLellan was an assistant on that team. McLellan has used the lessons he learned in Detroit with his new club.

“We’re not the first team that’s ever done it,” said center Joe Thornton(notes), who had 25 goals and a team-leading 86 points last season. “Todd has gone through it firsthand. He’s helping us regroup and refocus and get us ready for this year. It’s good Todd’s been through this before.”

The Sharks attempted to bolster their chances at advancing in the playoffs by acquiring Dany Heatley(notes) from Ottawa in exchange for right wing Jonathan Cheechoo(notes), left wing Milan Michalek(notes) and a draft pick.

Heatley, who had 39 goals and 33 assists last season, will headline an explosive offense alongside Thornton and right wing Devin Setoguchi(notes), who had 31 goals and 34 assists in 2008-09, his first full season in the NHL.

“That adds extra punch to our offense,” Thornton said of Heatley. “He’s such a dynamic scorer and he creates a lot of room for guys like me and Setoguchi. He’s going to take a lot of pressure off. I think it’s going to open up the game a little more.”

The Sharks will get a chance to show off that potent line against the Avalanche, who scored an NHL-low 190 goals last season to finish at the bottom of the Western Conference. Colorado’s 69 points were the team’s lowest total since relocating from Quebec in 1995.

Before the game, the Avalanche will honor Sakic—the last link to their days as the Nordiques.

A first-round pick in 1987, Sakic spent his entire 20-year career with the franchise, leaving as the scoring leader with 1,641 points, also good for eighth all-time. He tallied 625 goals, and was only the 11th player in NHL history to eclipse 1,000 assists.

In their first season in Denver, Sakic helped lead the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup and won the Conn Smythe Trophy with playoff highs of 18 goals and 34 points. His finest season came in 2001, when he scored a career-high 54 goals to win the Hart Trophy as Colorado lifted its second Cup.

“So many great memories,” Sakic said, fighting back tears during his retirement announcement in July.

Following the ceremony, Colorado will try to figure out a way to beat San Jose. The Sharks swept four games from the Avs last season, improving to 11-3-1 in the last 15 meetings including a 5-1-1 mark at the Pepsi Center.

“We get a good test right off the hop,” coach Joe Sacco told the Avalanche’s official Web site. “It’s going to be a great challenge for us. I know the guys are looking forward to the challenge. We feel prepared, we feel ready to go, and we’ll get a good gauge to see where we’re at.”

Sacco enters his first season behind the bench after Colorado fired Tony Granato in June following one season at the helm.

Milan Hejduk(notes) led Colorado with 27 goals in 2008-09, marking the second consecutive season and fifth time in his career that he has led the team. He also shared the team scoring lead with 59 points and was selected to his third All-Star game.

Hejduk, entering his 11th season with the franchise, had one goal and two assists against the Sharks last season.

Hejduk will be joined Thursday by Matt Duchene(notes) and Ryan O’Reilly(notes), two 18-year-old prospects making their much-anticipated NHL debuts.

“It’s a day I’ve been waiting for a long time,” said Duchene, the third overall pick in June’s draft. “I’m just thinking about going out there, doing what I’ve been doing and helping the team the best I can.”

Updated Oct 1, 12:06 am EDT
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Team Comparison

Team G W L OTL Pts Standings GF GA Road/Home
San Jose 35 20 8 7 47 1st, Pacific 115 93 11-6-2 Road
Colorado 37 20 11 6 46 1st, Northwest 109 107 10-4-2 Home
NHL

58 Comments

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  1. <i>viper778991</i>
    58. Posted by viper778991 Fri Oct 2 10:44pm EDT

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    "....haven't won a playoff series SINCE" is what I meant to say, sorry.
  2. <i>viper778991</i>
    57. Posted by viper778991 Fri Oct 2 10:39pm EDT

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    To W W # 42... you need to check your facts: 1995-96 Florida Panthers won the Eastern Conference Championship, (Prince of Wales Trophy) they defeated Mario Lemeiux, Jaromir Jagr and the rest of the Penguins in game 7 in Pittsburgh to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals where they were swept by the Colorado Avalanche 4 games to 0, and haven't won a playoff series once. But they have been to the Stanley Cup Finals.
  3. <i>kwick@...</i>
    56. Posted by kwick@... Fri Oct 2 7:18pm EDT

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    Where was big danny boy ..aka cry baby heatley oh yeah -3 great defense playing .we are so glad cry baby is gone from Ottawa...san joses prob now
    tee he he he
  4. <i>t_zenoniani</i>
    55. Posted by t_zenoniani Fri Oct 2 5:57pm EDT

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    As far as I can tell, its 2-0 if you compare Avs to Sharks. 2 cups to none. Score Board.
  5. <i>broncoguy75048</i>
    54. Posted by broncoguy75048 Fri Oct 2 4:52pm EDT

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    Any city that doesn't have ice and snow in the winter shouldn't have hockey anyway....nuff said.
  6. G M
    53. Posted by G M Fri Oct 2 4:12pm EDT

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    We are absolute crap this year! We are the same team we were in the preseason! Chokin Joe and Nabby were useless... Nabby needs to go! The guy is garabge! Greiss is pathetic as a backup so Wilson needs to make a move and dump Chokin Joe and Nabby!
  7. Tommy S
    52. Posted by Tommy S Fri Oct 2 2:48pm EDT

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    Man, you people sure are spazzing out about this game. The sharks won't be like this 3-4 games from now, it always takes them a little bit to get going. The avs were a surprise though, if they play like that every game, except for some of the horrible turnovers and weak passes, then they might have a shot at the playoffs. Either way, they're going to be fun to watch this year.
  8. W W
    51. Posted by W W Fri Oct 2 2:38pm EDT

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    If any of those comments were directed at me, I am not an Avs fan!!!!! I was there in Anaheim game 6 of the first round and saw the Sharks choke (yet again) and got to see the look on this San So-Gay punk babbling about "so cal hockey this, so cal hockey that" and then watched his metrosexual punk mouth shut up after.. turning to him and yelled in his face "THAT'S SO CAL HOCKEY!" I'm just glad for the Avs and any team that puts their @#$% fans in place. Heatly (he doesn't deserve that 2nd "e") has been a none factor so far, nice waste of $7 million. GO DUCKS! Go Kings, Go Coyotes, Go Stars.... GO ANYONE BUT THE SHARKS! @#$% the Sharks and double @#$% San So-Gay!
  9. Vick N
    50. Posted by Vick N Fri Oct 2 2:11pm EDT

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    Sharks may be lucky if they make playoff this year
    Their opening seems a bad sign and this organized team plays worse. (too early to say but it's true)...Nabby is a big problem that Sharks still holding with no solutions...This team has big guns but can't fire...Rich boys can't read! They have learned lessons after failed but lack of improvement...Consistency is not with the team.
  10. corey s
    49. Posted by corey s Fri Oct 2 1:15pm EDT

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    Whats funny is that the Avs now have a legit goalie, and barring injuries will compete for that 8th playoff spot. They still have some solid vets to mix in with the youth. They have a shot so stop hating on the Avs.
  11. isaac
    48. Posted by isaac Fri Oct 2 1:11pm EDT

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    wow avs fans, one game and you're talking like you've already won the cup? shut it! dont forget who spanked you all year last year. congrats on winning the first game of the season. once the sharks get their stuff together, there will no stopping them.

    granted nabby sucks....
  12. Elemenno P.
    47. Posted by Elemenno P. Fri Oct 2 1:02pm EDT

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    The Guppies are going to suck bigtime this season.
  13. Patrick
    46. Posted by Patrick Fri Oct 2 12:07pm EDT

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    at least you guys got out shot 19 to 1 in the 3rd haha
  14. may
    45. Posted by may Fri Oct 2 12:03pm EDT

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    Way to go Avs, I've been looking forward to the changes, and it looks like I can finally have a reason for liking them these days.
    Tough for the Sharks, though.
    I've never understood the appeal of liking a team that's really good - but never makes it in the finals.
    It just seems like a constant disappointment.
    But I'm thinking they'll come in 1st in the Pacific, it's not like they have much competition.
  15. sjsharks
    44. Posted by sjsharks Fri Oct 2 11:59am EDT

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    wait wait wait... IT'S ONE GAME morons.. lol Av's fans, you guys crack me up.. you base an entire season on one game? Geez, you guys are ignorant! If you know anything about hockey you realize it takes time to gel as a team... ok fine, you can cheer for a day, we'll see how far it gets you!

    SHARRKSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
  16. W W
    43. Posted by W W Fri Oct 2 11:41am EDT

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    I'm impressed... they did get to the conf finals once... but still.... choke.
  17. W W
    42. Posted by W W Fri Oct 2 11:35am EDT

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    Robert #32.... nice one! Shark fans... look, we all get it..... you LOVE YOUR TEAM. It is really funny how for years they go back and forth about how great this team is. But stop trying to convince the rest of us how great they are. They're not, at least until they DO SOMETHING. Again, the only teams never to see a Stanley Cup Final: Atlanta Thrashers, Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes and yes......... the San Jose Sharks. This is a team that has yet to get past the semi finals. If they do, fine... not going to bother me, that's the game. But what does get me is their fans speak (both on blogs AND at the games) like they're the freakin' Red Wings. They're not even the Tampa Bay Lightening.
  18. Disturbed
    41. Posted by Disturbed Fri Oct 2 11:01am EDT

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    doucebag lmao your handle says it all!!!!! Avs/Nordiques have 10 division titles, 2 conference titles, 2 cups, and 20 playoff appearances.....

    and you can put lipstick on a pig, but its still a pig.....I stand by my analysis of the sharks....they cant play in big games.....doesnt matter who ya bring in it will never change, it is just the way it is, so live with it ;)
  19. Disturbed
    40. Posted by Disturbed Fri Oct 2 10:26am EDT

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    Also at least we have great memories to re-live...what have the sharks given you to remember besides heart ache and embarassment??
  20. Disturbed
    39. Posted by Disturbed Fri Oct 2 10:22am EDT

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    Hey Pacific Coast, we got 2 cups.....how many you got???? LMAO Sharks will never win a cup!! Heres a clue, you should give up on hockey and start cheering for the Chargers, you will feel right at home ;) and BTW WHAP WHAP WHAP...WHOS YOUR DADDY!!!
  21. Geoff D
    38. Posted by Geoff D Fri Oct 2 10:18am EDT

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    nice thumping of the heatlys, get used to it
  22. folge
    37. Posted by folge Fri Oct 2 10:13am EDT

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    Great start to a rebuilding year, and to the start of the Duchene era. Go Avs!
  23. Bonnie
    36. Posted by Bonnie Fri Oct 2 10:10am EDT

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    I can't say it quite has sweetly as ScottyC BUT Mr pacific coast: BITE ME!

    There were lots of reasons for us as Av's fans to be concerned. They did not control or defend the puck well. Their passes were not concise and crisp. But they did have good energy. Last year they were painful to watch,last night I had reason for hope. They are young but I saw talent and energy. Faith is a powerful thing.

    All that said, the Sharks have an extremely talented group. Once they meld they will be a team to be reckoned with in the west. Dany Heatley is an exceptional player. To the western fans who don't have center ice and haven't seen him play alot, your in for a treat. When McLennon finds the right line mates ... your going to be delighted with the Sharks move.
  24. puckrocker
    35. Posted by puckrocker Fri Oct 2 9:42am EDT

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    Hey Guy F,
    Actually, I didn't realize that. I could have sworn I had some old Yelle cards depicting him in a Nords uniform. I guess even if I do, it doesn't mean he actually played for them. So thanks for clearing that up.
  25. Wolf
    34. Posted by Wolf Fri Oct 2 7:39am EDT

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    Sharks will be fine...Gotta say I love the new look AVS, especially those kids...They keep playing like they did last night and they should make a playoff run...as long as everybody stays relatively healthy...ya hear me there, STASTNY????
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