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A Measure of
Redemption
Two years of mourning is over
| 4/23/16 - By Paul Krill -
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The Sharks have won their first playoff series in
three years. More importantly, they have defeated the Kings, with the series
not even going all that far, only five games. We all know how it worked out the
last time these two teams met in the playoffs in 2014: the Sharks won the first
three games and then rolled over and played dead in a historic choke that has
resulted in the Sharks' once-vaunted sellout streak being a thing of the past,
thanks to some people just losing interest. The sting of that series is removed
to a small extent, anyway.
Despite a continued penchant for coughing
up big leads (which happened in games 4 and 5 of this series), the Sharks have
to feel good about moving on. Me, though, I won't get too excited yet because
we have been in this situation all too often: The Sharks start out looking good
in the playoffs, dreams of Stanley Cup parades dance in our heads and then the
team fades quickly, usually in the second round, maybe even the third.
This is a somewhat different team than two years ago:
While the core of Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski is still
there, goaltender Martin Jones, brought in from the Bruins via the hated Kings,
is new to the Sharks scene this year. While he had his bad moments, he has
probably saved GM Doug Wilson's job with excellent play in goal for the most
part.
Now it is time to move forward. Yes, the sting of the 2014
flameout still is part of our history; it will never fully go away. But the
Sharks have already written a happier ending to this season than the disastrous
end to the 2014 campaign and last year's playoff-less season.
At least
we get a few days now to rest on the laurels of this delightful first round
victory. Then it will be time for the Sharks to take the ice again and attempt
to erase completely the franchise's reputation as playoff disappointments. The
time is here, Sharks. Make the most of it.
Contact Paul at at
paulkrill@letsgosharks.com
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