If you tuned in halfway through the second period and saw the Sharks trailing 3-1, you had to wonder what happened. Had both Evgeni Nabokov and Brian Boucher been injured, forcing Tom Cavanagh to strap on the pads? Had the NHL instituted some kind of mercy rule for teams visiting HP Pavilion, spotting St. Louis three goals to begin the game? It was shocking to see the Sharks down a couple goals tonight, but nobody could have been surprised by their dramatic comeback.
It's common to hear players toss around a cliché like "sticking to the game plan," but for the Sharks it's 100 percent accurate. Their game plan is so sound, the execution so precise, there isn't any need for urgency on the San Jose bench. The Sharks know if they just keep pressing the chances are going to come, and when you have so many skilled players hopping over the boards you're never out of the game. It's a lot of fun to watch a confident team at work, and it's just going to grow after wins like that.
Some people are confused about the optimism in San Jose this year, comparing the current Sharks team to the one that tore through the league over the last 20 games last season. But those two clubs are miles apart, because the Sharks don't win that game last year. They didn't have the confidence, balance, or the scoring depth from both the forwards and defense. Last year, San Jose's coaching staff liked to mention how the team was able to win any type of game, but that just wasn't true and three major categories stand out.
1) They weren't able to come from behind
Last year the Sharks were 15th in the league in winning percentage when trailing after two periods. This year they're leading the league. That makes a huge difference for a team's confidence, and it really makes the Sharks dangerous.
2) They weren't able to prevail in high-scoring games
You never want to give up 4+ goals, but the Sharks only won one game last year when giving up 4+ goals. They've already won five of those games this season, and the best teams are able to win either 1-0 or 5-4.
3) They weren't able to pull out victories when Nabokov struggled
It was incredible how much the Sharks relied on Nabokov this season, with wins and losses literally coming down to his play. Thankfully for San Jose he was amazing most nights. Nabokov had a shaky night, but the team was able to pick him up and come through with the won.
Tonight, they showed they could do all three of those things, and with all due respect to the Boston Bruins or Detroit Red Wings, nobody in the league can touch the Sharks right now. Todd McLellan and his staff have done a remarkable job, and I still can't believe he's gotten so much out of his players. You keep expecting a losing streak or some sign of weakness, but they just keep rolling. The fact they've done it despite injuries to key players is absolutely amazing.
Shark fans are just hoping the strong play continues throughout the remainder of the season and into the playoffs. The Sharks have developed a reputation as regular-season stars and playoff chokers, and it's completely warranted. Several people expect that trend to continue, no matter how well the team performs during the regular season. However, wins like the one tonight keep building the evidence that the Sharks have turned the corner and learned from those hard lessons of the past. Whether they're down by a couple on a cold night in December, or looking ahead to the lofty expectations that await them in June, don't count them out.
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Just a heads up for everyone craving some Sharks talk or just looking to call in with a question. I'll be a guest on Chomp Talk, hosted by Chetan Chaudhari and Mike Peattie, this Sunday night from 9-10 p.m. on 1220-KDOW. Should be a good discussion as I help inform the boys at Chomp Talk.
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