NHL Wednesday: Sharks vs. Ducks

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The Anaheim Ducks have had a very tough year, but things could get much brighter when they go up against the San Jose Sharks.

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Despite Anaheim's season-long struggle, the Ducks have prevailed in each of the first three matchups this season and five straight in the series. In their most recent encounter on Dec. 26, Anaheim broke a 13-game road winless streak when they beat the Sharks, 3-2, on the back of Andrew Cogliano's second-period winner.

While they've had their Golden State rival's number in recent games, the Ducks can't seem to beat anybody else -- except themselves. Losers of seven of eight overall, Anaheim has dropped to within a point of Columbus for last place in the Western Conference. San Jose, meanwhile, just split a grueling home-and-home series with Vancouver, beating the Canucks on the road on Monday, 3-2 in a shootout, to move within a point of Colorado for the eighth and final playoff spot.

After losing their first two meetings with Vancouver by excruciatingly tight margins – and the whole Western Conference Final encounter – San Jose finally got the best of the Canucks on Monday. Michal Handzus scored the winner on the third penalty shot, and Antti Niemi made 27 saves as the Sharks snapped a 0-2-2 road skid. The Sharks now have points in eight of nine and are gradually gearing up for another playoff run.

Anaheim is currently exhibiting the rare and crippling combination of slow starts and impotent special teams. The Ducks haven’t scored a power-play goal in four games, and chalked up early deficits in recent games against Vancouver and Colorado. Two days after Vancouver grabbed a 4-0 lead against the Ducks, Anaheim was down 3-0 after 30 minutes against Colorado.

The Ducks are not doing very well, but they are hoping that 2012 will yield new results as they go up against the Sharks.