Sharks Need to Swim, Not Sink

So Doin Work isn’t exactly NHL Central. That we know. We don’t follow much hockey out here in California. It’s not that we don’t appreciate it, it’s just that we don’t feel it like our neighbors to the northeast. But, as a Northern California sports fan, you can’t help but take a little pride in the success of the San Jose Sharks. They’re a perennial contender, and they constantly are reloading their roster with top of the line talent. All the other Bay Area teams are lucky to have one of those characteristics. The problem with the Sharks though – like most hometown teams here – is they can’t get over the hump in the postseason. The Sharks are entering their sixth consecutive postseason, this time, like many others, a high seed in the Western Conference bracket. They’ve failed thus far though, to not only win a ring, but make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. In their early years of existence, the team was a perennial Cinderella, entering as a low seed and scoring some memorable upsets. Lately, though, it’s not uncommon to see the Sharks with home ice advantage, only to bow out of the playoffs early.

They enter this postseason once again the #1 seed, drawing the Colorado Avalanche. Rob Blake won one for his old team, deflecting a pass off his skate into his own net in Game 1, putting the Sharks in a familiar 0-1 hole. It’s only one game, but one can’t help but think that this is the beginning of another Shark’ playoff meltdown. Game 2 is tomorrow night in San Jose at 7pm local time. Let’s hope they can draw even in the series and not make this another disappointing Bay Area playoff performance.