HFBoards - View Single Post - Any sharks fans feel optimistic about the playoffs?

SJGoalie32 · 03-17-2010, 01:58 PM

I spent most of the last 10 months with an avatar of a depressed Eeyore with a Sharks logo tattooed on his hide getting rained on by a "Playoffs" cloud with the caption "Why Bother?"......so am I optimistic?......

Well, I'm actively trying to be.

The one thing that gives me optimism is that most Cup-winning teams of the last few years had at least two good goal scorers or a goalscorer and a hot goaltender who produced in the playoffs.

When Marleau and Nabokov were on, they went to the WCF before Marleau went ice cold. When just Marleau or just Nabby has been on, the Sharks have gotten through the 1st round, but no further. Last year, nobody was scoring AND the goaltending was subpar, so they didn't even get out of the first.

Earlier Sharks teams were hoping Jonathan Cheechoo would be that secondary primo goalscoring catalyst in the playoffs, but he never delivered his Rocket Richard numbers in the postseason. People kept (mistakenly) thinking/waiting for/hoping Joe Thornton would take on that role, but he has now proven himself either incapable or unwilling to do so.

So the one thing that does give me hope for the postseason is Dany effing Heatley. He has been a goalscoring machine this year. IF (and I know it's a big "if") he can finally be the one to provide that secondary playoff scoring punch along with Marleau's career year, the Sharks might actually make some good noises this postseason.....particularly if Nabokov can follow through in his contract year.

Those are the three guys I think that will determine the Sharks' fate. If all three are on, look for the Sharks in the WCF or SCF. If only one or two are, another second round exit. If none are (like last season)....well, on the plus side at least we won't have to waste much of our hard-earned money on playoff tickets.

03-17-2010, 01:58 PM	#35
SJGoalie32 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: TealTown, USA Country: Posts: 1,852 vCash: 500	I spent most of the last 10 months with an avatar of a depressed Eeyore with a Sharks logo tattooed on his hide getting rained on by a "Playoffs" cloud with the caption "Why Bother?"......so am I optimistic?...... Well, I'm actively trying to be. The one thing that gives me optimism is that most Cup-winning teams of the last few years had at least two good goal scorers or a goalscorer and a hot goaltender who produced in the playoffs. When Marleau and Nabokov were on, they went to the WCF before Marleau went ice cold. When just Marleau or just Nabby has been on, the Sharks have gotten through the 1st round, but no further. Last year, nobody was scoring AND the goaltending was subpar, so they didn't even get out of the first. Earlier Sharks teams were hoping Jonathan Cheechoo would be that secondary primo goalscoring catalyst in the playoffs, but he never delivered his Rocket Richard numbers in the postseason. People kept (mistakenly) thinking/waiting for/hoping Joe Thornton would take on that role, but he has now proven himself either incapable or unwilling to do so. So the one thing that does give me hope for the postseason is Dany effing Heatley. He has been a goalscoring machine this year. IF (and I know it's a big "if") he can finally be the one to provide that secondary playoff scoring punch along with Marleau's career year, the Sharks might actually make some good noises this postseason.....particularly if Nabokov can follow through in his contract year. Those are the three guys I think that will determine the Sharks' fate. If all three are on, look for the Sharks in the WCF or SCF. If only one or two are, another second round exit. If none are (like last season)....well, on the plus side at least we won't have to waste much of our hard-earned money on playoff tickets.