Why This Could Finally Be The Shark's Year

We all know the reputation that this San Jose Sharks team has: amazing regular season team who can't get it done in the playoffs. For five straight years they topped 100 points, once winning the President's Trophy, but despite that were never able to advance beyond the Western Conference finals. Last season, after finally dipping below the 100 point barrier, failing in their attempt to win the Pacific division for a 5th straight season, and being quickly dispatched by the St. Louis Blues in the first round, many around the league said that was it. Their time was over. Time to pack it in with this core of players and start again.

Not so fast. Sure, it seems that the Sharks won't win the Pacific again this year and they also seem destined to play defending the Stanley Cup Champion LA Kings in the first round. But for some very compelling reasons, this particular Sharks team may have the best chance to win it all.

First and foremost you have to look at the play of goalie Antti Niemi between the pipes. While other goalies such as Craig Anderson and Sergei Bobrovsky are getting all the hype, Niemi has very quietly been having an incredible season. His numbers are very respectable (2.10GAA/.927S%) and he not only leads the league in Wins, but also leads in shootout wins and sits second in total saves. Suffice to say he's consistently been a rock back there.

Secondly, and nearly as importantly, is the commitment by every guy on the ice to team defense. The Sharks are 4th in penalty killing, 3rd in blocked shots and 2nd in face-offs. It's those little things which, during the course of a 7 game playoff series, will surely influence the outcome of games. Think of the trouble this causes opposing teams. First they lose the face-off so now they're chasing the puck. Then, when they finally do get the puck back, their shots are getting blocked anyways. It's a frustrating style of play, one that surely takes it's toll on the Shark's players, but also one that seems to indicate playoff success.

For years the Sharks were run and gun, led by superb play-maker Joe Thornton and sniper Patrick Marleau. And though Thornton and Marleau are still producing, that's no longer the identity of this team. They've added excellent goaltending and improved their play on the other side of the puck. The spotlight and the pressure has been off the team a little more this year, with few expecting them to be what they once were. The truth is though, they're better. It's tough to call a perennial playoff team a darkhorse, but the other teams in the West better watch out. Now, if only Dan Boyle can remember which net to shoot at, the Sharks are due for another long playoff run.

Snap Shots:

• Oh and here's a little more about the Sharks. Logan Couture picked up 4 points last night in a 6-1 victory over Minnesota. The win improves the Shark's record at HP Pavillion this year to a sparkling 16-1-5.
• If you're a Detroit Red Wings fan, it's best not to look at the standings today. Dallas won their game in hand over the Wings last night and have moved passed them, pushing Detroit all the way down to 10th. I predicted yesterday that the Wings would make the playoffs, but it's looking worse for them by the day.
• The ageless Martin Brodeur picked up his record 121st career shutout last night, in a 3-0 victory over the Flyers. The win not only broke a ten game losing streak by the Devils, but also was the 667th of his career, disappointing many.
• Thanks for reading, would love to hear your comments and encourage you to share if you like the content here at WAAP. I guess I've got a thing for awesome assists lately, check out this beauty by Martin Erat: