The San Jose Sharks are a forgotten team. They are the third-wheel in California, behind Los Angeles and Anaheim. They are mentioned less nationally than the other two. They are often overlooked as a potential Stanley Cup threat. Even when they made that great run a couple of seasons ago they were an afterthought in each series. I've seen plenty of this over the last couple of seasons writing this blog.

This season is much of the same. The Sharks had a poor off-season - all things considered. They had no steamy story lines causing a stir. They lost Patrick Marleau to Canada. The beards were no longer unique. They aren't glamorous like Vegas or Toronto. They don't garner big city attention like New York or Los Angeles. They do still have great promotions - I'll give them that. That's not enough to get them any headlines though.

Yet, here we are, much like we are every season. The Sharks are right smack dab in the middle of an intense playoff race and almost nobody notices - or even cares. I listen to NHL Radio, listen to NHL podcasts and watch NHL content and the Sharks barely have a breath wasted on them. Yes, they are mentioned in trade rumors but that's not what I'm talking about.

fifty-nine games into this season, San Jose is 32-19-8 with 72 points. They have a very similar record to St. Louis, Colorado and Dallas. Yet, somehow those clubs are shown more attention and given more respect than the teal and black. San Jose's been in a playoff spot for most of this season and still nobody seems to give them a second look. I'm not even sure if some of the fans care all that much.

I think the Sharks are a great story and I think people need to keep an eye on this team. They came into this season with low expectations, missing one of its greatest players in Joe Thornton and they are still winning enough hockey games to keep Anaheim and L.A below them in the standings. It's a great story.They have great goaltending, great defense and world-class leaders. My hope is that they can keep this going long enough to make people notice even if they don't want to.

***

When the Sharks acquired Mikkel Boedker a couple do seasons ago, they thought they were adding a 50-point per season talent to their roster. During his time in San Jose he's been anything but that. Frankly, he's been a major disappointment.

In his first full season with the Sharks, the 28-year-old had his lowest offensive output since the lockout shortened season. In 2016-17, he played 81 games and ended with a very pedestrian 26 points (10g 16a). I was starting to think "bust" was spelled "Boedker."

This season started much like the last - slow and uninspiring. Then something remarkable happened. The calendar changed over to 2018. In the 21 game since 2017 ended, Boedker has 14 points (8g 6a). That's more than half his entire output from the prior year.

Moreover, he isn't just chipping in, he's starting to become an actual threat to score. He's on a tear right now with four goals and an assist in the last three game. Boedker is finally earning that contract the Sharks gave him a few summers ago.

This too is another story overlooked by the hockey talking heads. Why would we expect any less though? The third-wheel never gets any love.

Thanks for reading,
Steve

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