It's been more than a week since the San Jose Sharks season ended sooner than we would have liked. But the NHL playoffs roll on like a locomotive whether the Sharks are aboard or not.
I'm a lifelong New Jersey Devils' fan and the playoffs used to be an annual tradition. Not so much anymore, but that first pick might help. Anyway, when I was younger. once the Devils were eliminated I was too bitter to watch any more games. I grew out of that and I'm a better hockey advocate for it.
The reason I bring that up is to remind those still stingy from the Sharks demise that the playoffs are still good TV and this year is no different. The Oilers/Ducks series has been nothing short f spectacular. Having watched the Oilers battle in 10 playoff games this season has opened my eyes to the future of this league. They are young, fast and hungry. A model I hope both the Devils and Sharks emulate moving forward.
Now back to regularly scheduled Sharks news and notes...
On Brent Burns.... Burns was nominated for both the Norris Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award.
The bearded blueliner had a career year and was easily the Sharks best player through two-thirds of the season. No. 88 led all defenseman in scoring and posted career highs in goals (29) and points (76). Burns was a plus-19, scored six game-winning goals while averaging 24:51 of ice time per game.
Burns finished third in Norris voting last season, is in the running with Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators an, but this season may be his best shot to take home the hardware. Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman round out the top three. Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers are the other Ted Lindsay finalists.
My guess is the Burns is a lock to win the Norris and Crosby will nab the Lindsay.
On a side note: I met Ted Lindsay once and to this day he has the firmest handshake I've ever felt in my life.
How 'bout them Barracuda?
Sting hungry for some San Jose hockey? How about showing some love to the baby Sharks?
The 'Cuda moved on to the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs with a 2-1 five overtime win against the Stockton heat in the fifth and deciding game of the series. San Jose won 3-2 to advance and face the San Diego Gulls.
The Barracuda start the second round on Friday and Saturday at SAP Center against the Gulls, who beat the Ontario Reign in five games in the first round. This series should be a tight one as both these clubs battled all season for the top spot in the AHL's Pacific Division.
The baby Sharks roster is littered with familiar names like Marcus Sorensen, Barclay Goodrow, Timo Meier, Kevin Labanc and Mirco Mueller.
Here's the schedule for the nest series:
Barracuda-San Diego Calder Cup playoff schedule
Game 1: Friday, May 5, 2017 (7 p.m.) - SAP Center Game 2: Saturday, May 6, 2017 (7 p.m.) - SAP Center Game 3: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 (7 p.m.) - Valley View Casino Center Game 4: Friday, May 12, 2017 (7 p.m.) - Valley View Casino Center *Game 5: Saturday, May 13, 2017 (7 p.m.) - Valley View Casino Center *Game 6: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 (7 p.m.) - SAP Center *Game 7: Wednesday, May 17, 2017 (7 p.m.) - SAP Center
Thanks for reading, Steve