San Jose Sharks: Could Their Inconsistent Start Benefit Them in the Long Run?

The San Jose Sharks and their fans are no strangers to hot starts. Just two seasons ago, the Sharks burst out of the gate with a seven-game winning streak. Forward Patrick Marleau was a huge contributor in that, with four two-goal games and tying that record with former Ottawa Senator and Boston Bruin, Cy Denneny. Last season, the Sharks collected five wins in a row before their first loss against the Dallas Stars in a shootout. This season, after three consecutive wins, the Sharks have hit their first rough patch of the season. They only have one win in their last six games, and that was against the New Jersey Devils in their Home Opener. Is this a sign to push the panic button early? I don’t think so. Yes, it’s frustrating, but this is the first real test that the Sharks have had since last year’s first round playoff exit.

It seems fitting to me that the Sharks are going to be playing against the current-best team in the League, which is the Anaheim Ducks. They may not be seeing each other any time soon in the playoffs, but this really is a true measuring stick game. Anaheim, which is on a seven-game winning streak, has a ton of great players on their roster; Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, newly-acquired Ryan Kesler, etc.

However, that’s not to say San Jose doesn’t have their own share of talented hockey players in Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, and others. The story won’t be about how much talented each team has on their roster. It’s what they do with that talent. Doug Wilson, Todd McLellan, and the others didn’t just simply out of nowhere tell their players “Hey, you four specifically are going to get the A on your jerseys. No one’s going to get the C, and there’s nothing you can do about it”. No. This was all planned out, and both the players and coaches have made sure everyone’s on the same page in terms of responsibility. They know someone’s going to have to step up to the plate and perform the way they’re supposed to perform. So, even though Jumbo, Patty, Pavs, and Pickles have the A, the whole organization is expecting everyone to step up their game up. That’s what this whole season will be about for the San Jose Sharks.

Obviously, right now there are problems for the Sharks that need to be addressed, such as playing a full 60-minute game which is something I’ve stressed before, but as long as the guys can take these losses into the locker room and take a positive message and mentality out of those losses the rough patch may very well benefit them in the long run. Confidence is built. Trust is built. Most of them have been team mates for a while now. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t be a tight-knit group by now.

The one thing they will have to watch for is not to fall too far behind early in the season. They’ve only missed the playoffs once and that was back in the 95-96 season. They nearly missed the postseason again in the 2011-12 season, just barely squeaking through before the St. Louis Blues eliminated in them in the first round in five games.

All-in-all, as long as they can still get it together, they should be fine. Again, it’s still early in the season.

What do you think about San Jose’s inconsistencies at the start of the season? Let us know in the comments below.

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