THN.com Playoff Blog: Sharks' leaders must step up
Brad Richards of the Stars skates past Joe Thornton of the Sharks during Game 4. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)
Edward Fraser
2008-05-01 00:06:14
Truth told, Dallas-San Jose Game 4 was a bit of a dud compared to tilts one, two and three, but unlike the previous trio of games, the Sharks ultimately found a way to win.
For all the talk of the Sharks having no teeth, the boys in teal could just as easily be all knotted up, or ahead, in this series had Lady Luck been on their side.
Yes, Dallas has been the better team, of that there is no doubt, but it’s hardly been a blowout – OT losses in Games 1 and 3 and a Game 2 in which San Jose led going into the third.
But that doesn’t change the fact the Sharks only found a way to win when it was all but too late.
The margin between good teams and great teams is a small one, but San Jose still remains on the wrong side of the divide.
This team needs someone – I’m looking at you Joe and Patrick – to grab the team and pull them to victory.
Problem is, nothing any of the Sharks’ supposed leaders have done in the past makes me think they have what it takes to bring the team all the way back from this momentous hole they’ve dug themselves.
It was a positive sign that the Sharks didn’t fold up shop after the Stars scored first in Game 4, but collars will only get tighter with the pressure of performing, and winning, in front of a home crowd.
Needless to say, Evgeni Nabokov must be much better than he was in Games 1 and 2, but it will be the men up the middle who must really step up their games if the Sharks hope to avoid bowing out in the second round for the third straight season.
THURSDAY LARF
This one’s been around awhile, but still worth sharing for those who haven’t seen it…
AND SPEAKING OF YOUTUBE GEMS
Friend and THN.com Maple Leafs blogger Gus Katsaros passed along a link to Sean Leahy’s Going Five Hole Blog and this bizarre clip of a goalie scoring an empty net goal…while on a 2-on-1. Have a look and a read.
And while you’re there, check out the excellent Mike Lange Tournament of Quotes.
THN.com's Playoff Blogs, featuring analysis and opinion on the action from the night before, with insight on what happened and what it all means going forward, will appear daily throughout the NHL playoffs. Read more entries HERE.
Edward Fraser is the editor of thehockeynews.com. His blog appears Thursdays.
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Dbart (Posted 2008-05-01 15:01:45)
The terms "luck" and "can't catch a break" our over used terms used by teams and or players that are being out worked. Dallas has just simply out worked the Sharks. It starts with their captain Brendon Morrow. Luck is the result of hard work and that is why Dallas seems to be getting more luck than San Jose and this is why Dallas will win the series.
Bob Alan (Posted 2008-05-01 15:00:23)
Whats all this talk about "lady Luck" and "Bad Bounces" that J.R. was talking about in the press? Sounds like a loosers excuse for a poor performance. I watched games 1 & 2 and was present for 3 & 4 and I'll tell you there were plenty of very close calls for both teams, but both the goal keepers were Outstanding. The speed of the games were rightly faster in games 1-3, but San Jose has yet to look like a team with a purpose. They have been out played by the Stars in ALL games so far, and will eventually loose the series be it in 5, 6 or 7 games. Dallas just shows more heart. Sorry Sharks fans, not this year.
Bryan Walters (Posted 2008-05-01 13:48:14)
Joe Thornton is selfish? The man who led the league in assists is selfish? I believe you are thinking about another Bay Area sports star, not Joe Thornton. Joe is not hockey's Barry Bonds, he is probably one of the most unselfish stars in hockey. Joe's problem is that the way he plays the game is to slow the game down, which does not work well in the playoffs as teams get faster and start to key in on him more. Joe does not do nothing, the Sharks probably would not even BE in the playoffs without him. You obviously have never watched the Sharks play and are probably a bitter Bruins fan who regrets that his team got the short end of the stick in one of the most lopsided deals in NHL history and are now out of the playoffs, although the Sharks will probably join them any day now.
ken (Posted 2008-05-01 11:54:34)
Make no mistake about it. Joe Thornton has no heart, no desire and no ability to take a team by the reins and win a stanely cup. Joe is all about Joe and damn the rest of the world. Boston took a while to realize this. Don't make the same mistake S.J. Joe is not a leader now, before or any time in the near future. His next trade will be to N.Y.R. where he will collect a paycheck for doing nothing.
Buck (Posted 2008-05-01 11:26:18)
It's amazing to me, yet again, as a Sharks fan (since the Cow Palace days) that the press remains critical of the top guys in teal.....Once again it shows that the folks who write on the sport, are all back east, and don't know many other names on the team, let alone actually WATCH these West Coast teams.....Patty has back to back games (days as well) with short handed goals. Thank you though for pointing out the "luck" factor though. Luck has NOT been anywhere near the Sharks in this series. The "contain" defense is the biggest problem for the Sharks in this series...Sit back, and Dallas will bring it to your doorstep, and have! No illusion here, but the Sharks do have what it takes to pull off history. Finally, they have an opportunity to accomplish what nobody thinks can be done. Will they pull it off? It depends on Grier and JR, and whether or not they can "align" the stars in Teal....
whatsthatsmell (Posted 2008-05-01 06:42:18)
I didn't recognize Joe Thorton in the pic above at first. Then I realized it is because he is wearing a beard. I guess I am not used to seeing him in a beard because he has never gone far in the playoffs. lmao. Thorton is a choker. He should be on Ottawa.
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