The San Jose Sharks know they're taking on the Detroit Red Wings in round two of the 2011 NHL Playoffs, the semifinals, and now they know when they'll be playing. As the second seed to Detroit's third, the Sharks will get home-ice again at the HP Pavilion. It's basically a wildcard as to whether or not that will mean anything, seeing as how they won three of their four games against the Los Angeles Kings in round one on the road at the Staples Center. Play will begin on Friday, which means the Red Wings have eight days of rest, while the Sharks have three days of rest on their own. Again, this is debatable as to what it means for a team, Detroit could certainly come out cold, which of course is the counter-point to the fact that the Sharks could come out drained. It's a wildcard like it always is when these two teams play.
#2 San Jose Sharks Semifinal Series Versus #3 Detroit Red Wings
Friday, April 29th at San Jose, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 1st at San Jose, 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4th at Detroit, 5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 6th at Detroit, 4:00 p.m.
*Sunday, May 8th at San Jose, 5:00 p.m.
*Tuesday, May 10th at Detroit, TBA
*Tuesday, May 12th at San Jose, TBA
The asterisks, of course, denote games that may or may not actually need to happen in a best-of-seven series. Detroit swept their first round opponents, the Phoenix Coyotes, in four games, while it took San Jose six games to put away the rival Kings. The entire semifinal schedule is below:
Western Conference
#1 Vancouver Canucks vs. #5 Nashville Predators
Thursday, April 28th at Vancouver, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 30th at Vancouver, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3rd at Nashville, TBA
Thursday, May 5th at Nashville, TBA
*Saturday, May 7th at Vancouver, 5:00 p.m.
*Monday, May 9th at Nashville, TBA
*Wednesday, May 11th at Vancouver, TBA
#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #3 Detroit Red Wings
Friday, April 29th at San Jose, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 1st at San Jose, 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4th at Detroit, 5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 6th at Detroit, 4:00 p.m.
*Sunday, May 8th at San Jose, 5:00 p.m.
*Tuesday, May 10th at Detroit, TBA
*Tuesday, May 12th at San Jose, TBA
Eastern Conference
#1 Washington Capitals vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning
Friday, April 29th at Washington, 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 1st at Washington, 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3rd at Tampa Bay, TBA
Wednesday, May 4th at Tampa Bay, 4:00 p.m.
*Saturday May 7th at Washington, 9:30 a.m.
*Monday, May 9th at Tampa Bay, TBA
*Wednesday, May 11th at Washington, TBA
#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #3 Boston Bruins
Saturday, April 30th at Philadelphia, 12:00 p.m.
Monday, May 2nd at Philadelphia, 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4th at Boston, 4:00 p.m.
Friday, May 6th at Boston, 5:00 p.m.
*Sunday, May 8th at Philadelphia, 12:00 p.m.
*Tuesday, May 10th at Boston, TBA
*Thursday, May 12th at Philadelphia, TBA