The San Jose Sharks (22-22-5, seventh Pacific) will face their long-time rivals, the Anaheim Ducks (24-19-9, fifth Pacific), for the first of four quick-succession games scheduled between the two teams from now to April. Though it’s been awhile, the season series closely mimics the preseason, where the Ducks and Sharks clashed three times, the Sharks winning one of three. In those preseason games, we saw flashes indicative of a successful season for the Ducks, with rookies Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale on full display.
Since then, the Ducks have put together both good and bad stretches, at times entering the playoff team conversation, notably in December, when they sat at the top of the division.