San Jose Sharks fold yet again
This is by far the most disappointing playoff exit the Sharks have ever experienced. These aren’t the scrapper teams of the 1990s that exceeded expectations by making an appearance in the second round. This is just a massive, massive failure from all angles. The Sharks did show some heart, chemistry, and character but not enough to dig themselves out of a 3-0 series hole that they shouldn’t have been in.
A focused team displaying grit and guts does not lose in overtime on a play that recalls the memory of the Keystone Cops and it does not squander a third-period lead by giving up 4 goals on home ice. Against Calgary, they immediately fell behind 2-0 on home ice in game 1. In game 3, they jumped to a 3-0 lead just minutes into the game only to see the lead fade away into a 4-3 defeat at the hands of a physically-superior team and the aging legs of a 40 year-old goaltender. In game 6, they did not even show up to play. The figures on the ice looked like professional hockey players but they did not play like so.
Yet, they briefly showed glimpses of greatness in game 5 against Calgary by rallying late to win 3-2. They also played with a long unseen passion in their game 7 victory over the Flames to send them to round 2 against Dallas. Just seven days after eliminating Calgary, the Sharks were down 3-0 in the series against Dallas. They showed greatness in their next two games - both dramatic wins - and also displayed it during the quadruple overtime loss in game 6.
Some fans are more accepting of this loss and blame injuries or just sheer physical exhaustion for the loss. Didn’t Dallas play even harder? Shouldn’t they also be riddled with injuries and dead tired? Maybe they just have something the Sharks just don’t have. Could it be heart? Guts? Are they simply just better physically conditioned? Whatever the case may be, the Sharks underachieved again and the effort displayed in game 6 should not erase the team’s inconsistent and disappointing play during this playoff season. Praising effort is for underachievers and the Sharks should not be praised for losing game 6. They, like Dallas, had many chances to win the game. They, like Dallas, had an overtime powerplay. The only difference is that Dallas scored on theirs and began another Sharks offseason during which the team in teal will be scrutinized - just like last year. And the year before that.
What’s easier to accept: that the talented Sharks underachieved yet again or that, perhaps, they’re just not as good as people think? It’s starting to feel that I should accept the latter.
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