Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

WCF: Sharks Swimming In Unfamiliar Waters

May 24, 2016, 1:44 PM ET [17 Comments]
Steve Palumbo
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
For the first time in their 25 years of existence, the San Jose Sharks are one win away from a trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

Sharks captain and playoff hero, Joe Pavelski, scored two goals including the game-winning goal 16 seconds into the third period. Captain America lifted his team to a 6-3 win against the St. Louis Blues in a very hostile and excited Scottrade Center.

The Sharks now hold a 3-2 series lead in the Western Conference Finals and can clinch the franchises first Stanley Cup Final birth with a win at home in game 6 on Wednesday.

One win. That is all that separates the Sharks from two and half decades of "close but no cigar." It's hard to believe this is the closest a franchise with 6 division titles and a President's Trophy has never been this close to a Cup Final.

Pavelski has been the straw that stirs the drink for San Jose during this incredible playoff run. He has 9 points (4g 5a) in his last six games, leads all playoff goals scorers with 12 and has a multi-goal game in each of the Sharks three playoff rounds.

Despite his playoff heroics the Sharks are about more than just one guy.

Joel Ward had two goals of his own, proving that his reputation as a clutch playoff performer is all it's cracked up to be. Ward has 44 (18g 26a) in 70 career playoff games.

Jumbo Joe had three assists and Marc-Edouard Vlasic had a goal and an assist for the Sharks, Chris Tierney had an empty-net goal and Martin Jones made 18 saves after being pulled in game 4.

***

I shouldn't be surprised the Sharks are in this position, but I am. After losing the way they did in game 4 and falling behind 2-1 and 3-2 in game 5, I had a sickening feeling in my gut. I let the doubt creep in and cloud my view of this Sharks team. (Must be the Devils fan in me.)

I should know better. This team is different.

Every time the Sharks have played a stinker....
Every time the Sharks have allowed a bad goal....
Every time the Sharks have fallen behind....

...they have come back. Even in game 4 down 5-1, they never stopped skating. They never stopped pushing back and they never quit on themselves. The Sharks made the game respectable and set the tome for what happened in game 5.

I think they've earned the benefit of doubt from myself, the fans and those who still can't fathom the Sharks in a Cup Final.

I'll never doubt them again...win or lose.

***

The Sharks power play made its triumphant return. After going just 2-for-15 in the first four games, San Jose scored twice on the power play and the timing couldn't have been better.

The second power-play goal by Pavelski came late in the second period and tied the game at 3-3. That goal was a back-breaker for the Blues and they never recovered from it.

When the power play is on...the Sharks are virtually unbeatable.

***

I commend Pete Deboer for sticking with Martin Jones. Blues' coach Ken Hitchcock went to Jake Allen after game 3 in place of Brian Elliott and his team responded with a HUGE win.

PDB stuck to his guns and the guy that got his team to this point and it had similar results.

Deboer is a player's coach and he is very loyal to his guys. It's what makes his so successful and he was rewarded by his players with their effort.

It also shows that Deboer is not a panicky coach. Possibly the main reason why his teams that qualify for the playoffs tend to make deep runs. Well, the one other time a team coach by PDB made the playoffs they made a deep run. That's besides the point. :)

***

This series has not been easy to predict, but I have to believe the Sharks will do everything in their power to end it on Wednesday.

And like I said above...I will never doubt this team again. I think they end it at home.

***

Lastly, I want to thank Vols94 for the Sharks rally towels (Pavelski & Burns). He sent me a couple after I mentioned their awesomeness. Thank you!

I still think the Sharks have the best rally towels in the league. That one with California on it looks like the best one yet!


***

To keep things fun while helping out a couple of great causes, Blues blogger, Jason Millen and I have made a wager on the series.

If the Sharks win the series Millen will make a donation to the hydroassoc.org, whose mission is to connect individuals to larger communities that can provide support and understanding, to educate national and state policymakers, the medical community, and the general population, and to advance treatment and eventually find a cure for Hydrocephalus.

And if the Blues win, I have agreed to make a donation to Covenant House Missouri whose mission is to empower youth who are disconnected to design their own path from homelessness to opportunity.

Thanks for reading,
Steve
Follow me on Twitter: @Faultlinehockey
Join the Discussion: » 17 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Steve Palumbo
» Sharks offense in heating up; have they turned a corner?
» Radim Simek's return will help, but San Jose's issues run deep
» The Last Place Sharks; Should We Get Used To It?
» Evander Kane helping Sharks get back on track
» Patrick Marleau's big return masks Sharks woes