Out West, the first team to advance was San Jose. The Sharks swept the Canucks out of the best-of-seven first round last night with a 4-3 overtime victory in Game Four at HP Pavilion. Third seeded Vancouver was sent packing on Patrick Marleau’s OT winner at 13:18. It came following an atrocious  call on Daniel Sedin for boarding.

It was a bad way for the series to end. Even if the Sharks earned the franchise’s first series sweep, you don’t call a penalty on a simple shove that wasn’t hard. San Jose also took advantage of a Kevin Bieksa crosscheck to force sudden death. Joe Pavelski steered home a Logan Couture follow up of a Joe Thornton rebound Cory Schneider couldn’t control. The goal came with 4:27 remaining in regulation.

The Canucks had rallied in the third from a one-goal deficit on the strength of two goals in 1:50. Alex Burrows finished off a nice passing play from Daniel and twin brother Henrik Sedin for a power play goal. Burrows set up Alex Edler at the point less than two minutes later. But Pavelski’s fourth of the series gave the Sharks new life. In OT, Couture came close to ending it with a goalpost. With Sedin in the box, Marleau got to a loose puck and buried his fourth to help San Jose advance to the Western Semis. Thornton and Dan Boyle drew helpers.

For Vancouver, it ends another disappointing year in which they failed to meet expectations. In a series that looked evenly matched on paper, they dropped four straight including Games 2 and 4 in overtime. Coach Alain Vigneault isn’t expected to survive. Despite what probably was his last press conference following the difficult result, he didn’t criticize the officials. Instead, giving credit to San Jose for playing a good series.

The Canucks remain an enigma. Even if Vigneault’s done, it might be time to look at GM Mike Gillis. Their roster is never good enough. They came awfully close to winning the franchise’s first Cup in 2011 but blew leads of 2-0 and 3-2, losing Game Seven to Boston on home ice. Since, they’ve been bounced in Round One by the Kings and Sharks. It’s safe to say they don’t want to travel to California for the first round anymore.

San Jose didn’t lose to Vancouver all year also taking the season series 3-0-0. They won the last two in a shootout and overtime. Overall, they went a perfect seven for seven. The No.6 seeded Sharks await the results of the other three Western series. Top seed Chicago took a 3-1 lead over Minnesota. No.2 seed Anaheim is tied with Detroit entering a pivotal Game Five tomorrow. The four versus five between St. Louis and Los Angeles has been ultra competitive with each team holding serve. It’s the most physical series.

If there are no more upsets, the Sharks will face the Blackhawks. They reseed. For now, they’ll rest up and wait.