Milan Lucic is relatively new to the hockey scene in California, but so far he’s pretty impressed by what he sees.
“With all three California teams being as good as they are, and the hatred between the three of them, I think it’s made for some real good rivalries and real great games so far throughout the season,” said Lucic, per CSN Bay Area.
The three teams from California are currently ranked one, two, three in the Pacific Division which means there’ll almost certainly be an all-California match up in the first round. That should take the rivalry to another level.
“The way things are looking, you know for sure that there’s going to be at least one California playoff series, so I think it goes to show how hockey’s going in the state of California and how much into it the fans are and how much they’re loving it, and personally, it’s great to be a part of it,” Lucic added. “I’ve enjoyed that part, I’ve enjoyed the rivalry part as much as I have everything else.”
The battles between the three teams have been hard-fought and close, but it’s the Ducks who’ve gotten the best of the state rivalry in 2015-16.
Here’s how they stack up against each other:
--The Kings are 3-5-0 against the Sharks and Ducks this season.
--The Sharks are 3-4-1 against the Kings and Ducks this season.
--The Ducks 6-2-0 against the Kings and Sharks this season.
Los Angeles is currently at the top of the division with Anaheim and San Jose right behind them.
