Sharks vs. Stars - The Biggest Western Conference Rivalry: Series Preview

How could the biggest western conference rivalry be between two teams that have only played a total of 11 games in the playoffs. sure they have a history that has moved around but chicago-detroit, calgary-edmonton are much better. between 83 and 90 there was a team in the stanley cup finals from Alberta. They have played each other 5 times in the playoffs and 3 of those series' went to 7 games. So San Jose and Dallas have a ways to go.

Well you have to read the article to understand the sentiment. These teams were essentially born of the same family and that's what makes this rivalry unique. When you lock two members of the same family in a room, and those two don;t like each other, you can get serious fireworks. The kind of fireworks not found elsewhere in the western conference.

Where have we seen the fireworks though? Rivalries are made in the playoffs and these teams haven't had a series that has had any drama. It's cool the whole story but just because they are linked doesn't mean much to me. You could even throw in the 12 year rivalry between Colorado and Detroit. They have played 6 times in the playoffs over that span and i'm pretty sure you've seen what's gone on between them. Now those are fireworks.

I can respect your opinion. As a Sharks fan from the beginning of the franchise though I must respectfully disagree. While it is true that many rivalries are made in the Playoffs, rivalries can start and escalate for a number of reasons. I also understand why people unfamiliar with the rivalry would question it, but as a person that lives and dies on the outcome of these games, I have a totally different perspective. Also, if there is any question about the level of this rivalry, you need only go back to game 82 of this season, and the fight fest that was that night. More than 150 penalty minutes in one game!! This series is going to get nasty!!

Hey I'm not saying this is going to be a bad series, i think it's going to be a great one and i know there is a rivalry here just i think it needs more dramatics when it really counts to be considered the best in the west.

Fair enough! Lets get ready for some great hockey ehh?

Touche my man