The 2015-2016 San Jose Sharks: Why The Infamous 'This Is Our Year' Tagline May Not Be Completely Ludicrous
Throughout the course of twenty-five hard-fought seasons of NHL Hockey (or twenty-four, if you prefer to exclude the 2004-2005 NHL Lockout), the San Jose Sharks have often been selected as favorites to win the sport's ultimate prize: Lord Stanley's Cup.
And while the appealing title of 'Stanley Cup Champions' has somehow managed to elude Team Teal in each and every one of their campaigns, hockey experts and loyal Shark fans alike have frequently resorted to the laughable, cliché murmurings of, "They'll get 'em next year . . ."
In reality, this is an indisputable case of a franchise which has enjoyed countless regular season "highs" since its inaugural season in 1991 (such as clinching the 2008-2009 Presidents' Trophy for the NHL's best record), while merely achieving mediocrity in their many fruitless postseason endeavors.
Yes, the Sharks battled their way to the Western Conference Finals in 2004. Yes, they did it again in 2010. And yet again in 2011. But the harsh reality of the situation is that all three scenarios resulted in inexplicable, painful defeats. Thus, I extend my sincere thanks to Calgary, Chicago, and Vancouver.
Indeed, the unfortunate fact of the matter remains that from every star -- from Owen Nolan and Jonathan Cheechoo, to the inseparable combination fondly known as "Jumbo Joe and Patty Marleau", San Jose has always come up just short of the ultimate prize.
In 2015-2016, however, Peter DeBoer's resilient San Jose Sharks' squad simply seems to be a different team -- a team that will not be defined by its predecessors -- a team that will settle for nothing less than the pinnacle of success.
After emerging victoriously in a franchise-record 28 games outside of the friendly confines of SAP Center this season, the San Jose Sharks entered the 2016 Postseason with newfound vigor.
This was no longer the team which had suffered EIGHT brutal Second Round defeats, nor the Presidents' Trophy winning team which had simply collapsed in the 2009 Western Conference Quarterfinals in the unfriendly face of the 8-seeded Anaheim Ducks.
This wasn't the San Jose team of 2014 -- a team which had watched a 3-0 series lead evaporate, quickly turning into yet another heart-shattering First Round exit.
Rather, this was a new team, with both renewed leadership and renewed motives.
Fittingly, this 2016 incarnation of the San Jose Sharks entered Los Angeles in Round One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and shockingly defied the 2012/2014 Stanley Cup Champion Kings in both Games 1 and 2, before ultimately sealing the deal in the midst of a hostile Game 5 environment -- it was on to Round Two.
In Game One of the Second Round, this Sharks team somehow mustered a five-goal third period en route to yet another series-opening victory.
In Game Two, this Sharks team tallied the go-ahead score with only 2:40 remaining on the clock, driving a knife into the very heart of Nashville, Tennessee (and leaving Carrie Underwood with little choice but to take a Louisville Slugger to the Bridgestone Arena scoreboard).
Presently, this team is prepared to head south for Games 3 and 4 of the Semifinals on Predator ice, now merely two victories away from their fourth Western Conference Finals berth.
Only this time, they look ready.
This time, they have every piece of the puzzle firmly locked into place.
This time, they have the right players, on the right team, at the right time.
This time, there is no storied Chicago Blackhawk franchise lingering at the end of the tunnel to diabolically lead them to their untimely demise.
Instead, the four teams remaining in the Western Conference Playoffs have a total of ONE Stanley Cup to their collective name (which belongs to the 1999 Dallas Stars).
And somehow, someway, this 2016 San Jose Sharks team just might be the first to align with the Hockey Gods in Northern California.
Perhaps . . . perhaps after six Division Titles and eighteen playoff appearances, this June will finally bring a celebration to the Bay Area . . . one that has been 25 years in the making.
And while the appealing title of 'Stanley Cup Champions' has somehow managed to elude Team Teal in each and every one of their campaigns, hockey experts and loyal Shark fans alike have frequently resorted to the laughable, cliché murmurings of, "They'll get 'em next year . . ."
In reality, this is an indisputable case of a franchise which has enjoyed countless regular season "highs" since its inaugural season in 1991 (such as clinching the 2008-2009 Presidents' Trophy for the NHL's best record), while merely achieving mediocrity in their many fruitless postseason endeavors.
Yes, the Sharks battled their way to the Western Conference Finals in 2004. Yes, they did it again in 2010. And yet again in 2011. But the harsh reality of the situation is that all three scenarios resulted in inexplicable, painful defeats. Thus, I extend my sincere thanks to Calgary, Chicago, and Vancouver.
Indeed, the unfortunate fact of the matter remains that from every star -- from Owen Nolan and Jonathan Cheechoo, to the inseparable combination fondly known as "Jumbo Joe and Patty Marleau", San Jose has always come up just short of the ultimate prize.
In 2015-2016, however, Peter DeBoer's resilient San Jose Sharks' squad simply seems to be a different team -- a team that will not be defined by its predecessors -- a team that will settle for nothing less than the pinnacle of success.
After emerging victoriously in a franchise-record 28 games outside of the friendly confines of SAP Center this season, the San Jose Sharks entered the 2016 Postseason with newfound vigor.
This was no longer the team which had suffered EIGHT brutal Second Round defeats, nor the Presidents' Trophy winning team which had simply collapsed in the 2009 Western Conference Quarterfinals in the unfriendly face of the 8-seeded Anaheim Ducks.
This wasn't the San Jose team of 2014 -- a team which had watched a 3-0 series lead evaporate, quickly turning into yet another heart-shattering First Round exit.
Rather, this was a new team, with both renewed leadership and renewed motives.
Fittingly, this 2016 incarnation of the San Jose Sharks entered Los Angeles in Round One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and shockingly defied the 2012/2014 Stanley Cup Champion Kings in both Games 1 and 2, before ultimately sealing the deal in the midst of a hostile Game 5 environment -- it was on to Round Two.
In Game One of the Second Round, this Sharks team somehow mustered a five-goal third period en route to yet another series-opening victory.
In Game Two, this Sharks team tallied the go-ahead score with only 2:40 remaining on the clock, driving a knife into the very heart of Nashville, Tennessee (and leaving Carrie Underwood with little choice but to take a Louisville Slugger to the Bridgestone Arena scoreboard).
Presently, this team is prepared to head south for Games 3 and 4 of the Semifinals on Predator ice, now merely two victories away from their fourth Western Conference Finals berth.
Only this time, they look ready.
This time, they have every piece of the puzzle firmly locked into place.
This time, they have the right players, on the right team, at the right time.
This time, there is no storied Chicago Blackhawk franchise lingering at the end of the tunnel to diabolically lead them to their untimely demise.
Instead, the four teams remaining in the Western Conference Playoffs have a total of ONE Stanley Cup to their collective name (which belongs to the 1999 Dallas Stars).
And somehow, someway, this 2016 San Jose Sharks team just might be the first to align with the Hockey Gods in Northern California.
Perhaps . . . perhaps after six Division Titles and eighteen playoff appearances, this June will finally bring a celebration to the Bay Area . . . one that has been 25 years in the making.
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