LOS ANGELES (AP) - Joe Thornton and Teemu Selanne were both thrilled when they realized California has more teams in the NHL postseason than Canada.
It's no knock on the Great White North. Hockey in the Golden State has just never been better.
The San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings are headed to the playoffs together for the first time, ramping up what's become a serious three-way rivalry.
Even better, second-seeded San Jose will meet seventh-seeded Los Angeles in just the third playoff series between California teams in NHL history.
Each team brings unique qualities to the postseason: The Kings have the lengthiest tradition, but the Sharks have the most consistent recent success - and the Ducks have the only Stanley Cup title.
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