|
|
No Redemption
Unlike the Bruins, the Sharks' historic collapse will not have a
happy follow-up
| 3/24/15 - By Paul Krill -
|
|
In 2010, the Boston Bruins became the first team
since 1975 to lose a playoff series that they had been leading three games to
none. But never fear - the Bruins redeemed themselves the following season by
winning the Stanley Cup. All's well that ends well.
As we know all too
well here in San Jose, the Sharks blew a 3-0 series lead last year, unable to
beat the Kings in any of the subsequent four games, including Game 7 in San
Jose, in the first round. That devastating elimination left fans frustrated,
angry and maybe even humiliated. But life had to go on.
A largely
unchanged Sharks squad took back to the ice in October, hoping for a better
result than last season. Unfortunately, it's looking very much like the Sharks
and their fans will not get redemption, with the team highly unlikely to even
make the playoffs.
Disappointing seasons from players such as Tomas
Hertl, Matt Nieto and Patrick Marleau, compounded by inconsistent goaltending
and poor play at home, have left the Sharks on the outside looking in with just
a few weeks left to qualify for the playoffs. The current, critical 7-game road
trip has not gotten off to a good start, with the Sharks losing two of the
first three games.
So it looks like there will be no playoff
excitement in downtown San Jose this year, the first time since 2003 that the
team has missed the playoffs. The offseason could see the departure of any
number of players, the coach and maybe even general manager Doug Wilson.
Meanwhile, longtime franchise players Joe Thornton and Marleau are not getting
any younger.
I can't help but wonder if the Oakland A's trade-happy
general manager Billy Beane would have traded the two of them several years
earlier while they still had significant value, if he were running the Sharks.
(We've all heard of the obvious animosity Thornton has had for Wilson over the
captaincy debacle, with the Sharks' dirty laundry becoming very public
recently.)
Sharks fans will most likely be relegated to watching the
playoffs on TV this year and not live in San Jose. It's something we might have
to get used to, since it's highly questionable that this mediocre team can
stampede back to the top of the standings anytime soon.
Contact
Paul at at paulkrill@letsgosharks.com
|
|
| What did you think of
this article? Post your comments on the Feeder Forums |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
