I was actually surprised that the Sharks went down with hardly a whimper last night as the normally high flying San Jose Sharks were shut out by soon to be senior citizen Dominic Hasek, the Red Wings defense was great but the sharks didn't do much to make the Wings work for this game. I have to say that last nights games really didn't keep my attention, I had to struggle to watch this game. I was disappointed and miffed. The Sharks losing in the semis for a second year in a row, I had them penciled in for going to the conference finals.
Ryan Garner touches on a few of the issues that affected the San Jose Sharks during their second round match up with the Red Wings.
Ryan Garner Article
Well, the Sharks aren't the Rangers, and offered up an embarrassing effort on home ice in Game 6. There wasn't any desperation, nobody stepped up, and we saw a performance that only reinforced San Jose's reputation as playoff chumps, lacking heart and determination. Sure, there were spurts of effort. Michalek would flash through the neutral zone or Clowe would press the forecheck at times, but there wasn't any sustained pressure, and nothing close to a flurry down the stretch. I can only remember two quality scoring chances, Grier's empty net and Bernier's breakaway. I think that says it all, the fact San Jose's two best chances came from a third-line penalty-killing grinder and a young fourth-line winger. Forwards on San Jose's top two lines combined for only 7 shots, while the bottom two lines had 18. That's just not right.
I've received several frustrated e-mails tonight calling for heads to roll, and Patrick Marleau is getting the most blame, with Joe Thornton close behind. Marleau went six consecutive games without a point, finishing the series -5. What happened to him?? The captain is the go-to guy for everything, and if he's the worst player on the ice it takes everyone else off the hook. They don't have anything to build on, no example to live up to. It's unfortunate the past 10 days will have a permanent effect on Marleau's career, adding to the pressure and doubt he'll have to overcome next season.
Thornton didn't have a single shot on goal, didn't record a hit, won only 38% of his faceoffs, and finished the night -2. What happened?? Clearly he's one of the most talented players in the world, but if that's the performance you get with the season on the line maybe that $6.66 million salary could be put to better use somewhere else. I'm just throwing it out there.
When your front line center and super star player Joe Thornton isn't a factor on the score sheet and on the board in big games your chances of winning goes way down, frankly you not going to be very good. It seems that yearly big Joe does a disappearing act during the Stanley Cup playoffs. It was such a issue that I believe lead to Thronton going to San Jose. Joe Thornton needs to be hitting every, winning face offs and scoring goals, without doing these things he is 6.6 million dollar anchor. Over on XM-204 today some of the fans in San Jose were calling for the coaches head. I think it is premature but if there are many more tent foldings early in the the playoffs the coaches heads may roll.
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