The San Jose Sharks did their very best impression of the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks to start the season. It took 10 games for the Sharks to taste defeat during regulation, and after the first two months of the season San Jose had the best record in the NHL at 18-3-5.
Things have cooled off for the Sharks since then. Naturally they came back to earth and then some, going on a puzzling losing skid that dropped them down to third place in the Pacific Division at one point. Since December 3rd the Sharks are a modest 11-9-1 and are holding on to second place in the division behind the truly mighty Ducks.
Recent history might suggest that the Sharks are nothing more than a playoff figurehead. They typically show up for the party, dressed to impress, but end up bowing out of the dance early, overwhelmed by the pressure of the moment. Regular season success has been the norm in San Jose over the past decade, but two President’s Trophies failed to produce anything more than a pair of disappointing conference final losses.
The core of the franchise has been in place for the bulk of that time, but some new faces have arrived in recent years looking to pump fresh optimism and life into the Shark faithful. Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski and now Tomas Hertl are the next generation for the black and teal and will keep the team in very good standing.
While coach Todd McLellan is hoping that this next wave of stars can help lead this team to the Promised Land, there is a fine line between another premature playoff exit and the Holy Grail. Here are five reasons the Sharks can finally lift the Stanley Cup
1.Desperation-The clock is clearly ticking on the core of this club. Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dan Boyle are all in the mid-30’s region and playing under expiring contracts. This could realistically be the end of an era for the Sharks. It has been a hugely successful run with Jumbo Joe and Marleau, but one that is conspicuously missing the most important piece of team hardware.
2. Hot goaltending-It doesn’t need to be said how important a hot goaltender is in the playoffs. The Sharks are a lock for the postseason barring an epic collapse. If the perennially streaky Antti Niemi gets on a run at the right time, the Sharks are virtually unbeatable. They always seem to be on the wrong end of the hot goaltender matchup. This year Niemi could be their ace in the hole.
3. Home ice-The HP Pavilion is one of the most underrated buildings in the NHL and provides a legitimate boost to their beloved Sharks. Since the 2009-10 season the Sharks have lost only 33 of 168 home games in regulation. That calculates to a home winning percentage of 81%. This year San Jose has enjoyed the Shark Tank with a 16-2-3 record. Come playoff time the raucous home crowd can be deafening when the home team scores, rattling even the most experienced opposition. If San Jose can manage a few road wins in the postseason, they’ll be on their way.
4. Playoff format-Believe it or not, the playoff format actually favors the much stronger Western Conference. By getting battle tested early against the elite clubs, the winner in the west will be in good shape for the Stanley Cup Final. The glass half empty thought is that the west will beat the hell out of one another and limp into the Final, but I digress. Against divisional opponents this season San Jose is 12-3-2. Though they may not catch Anaheim for the Pacific Division title, they could get a crack at the Ducks in the second round of the playoffs.
5. Laying in wait-While all the eyes of the Western Conference can be fixed on the darling Ducks of Anaheim and the defending champs in Chicago; San Jose will quietly make the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season. The second longest active streak in the NHL is nothing to dismiss. It speaks to an expectation of success and a legacy of consistency. There may not be a Stanley Cup banner hanging in HP Pavilion, but it isn’t because the Sharks haven’t been good enough. If San Jose has learned anything over the course of their previous nine trips to the postseason dance it is that the regular season means nothing. The time to be great begins in the first round of the playoffs.