Joe Thornton wins the Art Ross Trophy as the National Hockey League’s point’s leader and Johnathan Cheechoo takes the Rocket Richard Award as the NHL’s top goal scorer. Not a bad April for the San Jose Sharks and the playoffs haven’t even started yet. But they start Friday night in Nashville (Live on Fox Sports Net) and the big question on everybody’s mind around here is, do the Sharks have enough to go all the way.
As in win the Stanley Cup for the first time in their 15-year history.
Anyone who remembers my ramblings in this space back in October will recall that I predicted the Sharks would make it to the finals this year, and win the cup. Even when the road got rough in November and the Sharks managed to win only one game I repeated my prediction. I’m certainly not going to waiver now. I really do believe the Sharks can make a run for the Stanley Cup.
With “J-Tho”, “Cheech” and “Nilly” they arguably have the hottest line in hockey. After that, Patrick Marleau is coming off a career year, and his young wingers bring a strong second wave.
In goal, Vesa Toskala has had the kind of breakout season the Sharks always felt he was capable of. That’s why they kept him instead of Mikka Kiprusoff. And Evgeni Nabokov has plenty of playoff experience should he get the call from Ron Wilson.
And speaking of the Head Coach - he hasn’t won a cup yet but Wilson took the Washington Capitals to the final round a few years ago and knows what it takes to get there.
Throw in the solid defensive play of Scott Hannan, Kyle McLaren and Tom Preissing along with excellent contributions from rookies like Matt Carle and Josh Georges and you have makings of a blue line that can shut you down or hurt you offensively. The playoffs are usually the time of year when gritty players like Scott Thornton and Ville Niemenen rise to the forefront too.
But first things first. I like the Sharks to knock off Nashville in 6 games. It takes 16 playoff victories to capture the Stanley Cup. Hopefully the next time I drop in the Sharks will have just a dozen to go.
My congratulations to the team for getting into the playoffs. Now let’s see what kind of magic you can perform and go all the way.
I’m sure curious about how the political bloggers will thread this item into the mayors race. I have no doubt but what they will.
J-Tho for Mayor!
Randy-
I think you are right on all points, except…
I am really worried that we don’t have the superior goaltending it takes to go all the way. Toskala was at best worthless at the begining of the season – he could’t stop a beachball if it was lobbed at him – and Nabby has some little Kamenogorsk man wobbling around in his head screaming obscenities at him. With the end of the season’s run, Toskala had improved greatly, but is he “like wall,” Stanley Cup material?
I can only hope that the coaches are right about him.
Nashville worries me. They are one of the few teams that can skate with the Sharks. At least the post season will provide some relief from a rather tedious election campaign…
Joe Thornton is absolutely the MVP of the league – what he has done for the Sharks is unreal. I can’t see any reason why they can’t dispose of Nashville in 5 games if they keep playing the way they have the past 3 weeks – no one can beat us. Only if Nashville rallies around their “us against the world” attitude will they have a chance to take this series!
I like your predictions!!!! We are heading into the playoffs playing great. I think we will win this series in 5 or 6 as well. I think Joe and Cheech will play great, and I think if Patrick plays great we can head deep into the playoffs!!!! GO SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a Nashville website:
The hallowed Stanley Cup trophy paid a visit to the studio of the country music duo Montgomery Gentry who were recording a new vocal track for their hit song “My Town.” The infectious anthem is set to be the theme for the Predators’ 2006 Stanley Cup Playoff run.
“Although I didn’t grow up a big hockey nut, I know of the Stanley Cup and what it represents,” Gentry said. “It’s pretty humbling to be standing here beside such a great award and great trophy that has been shifted around for many years.
“There’s a lot of talk about it here in Nashville,” he added, gazing at the Cup. “Of course, obviously we’re all supporting the Preds 100 percent. And hopefully this will come to our town.”
NOT THIS YEAR!
Mayor Bill Purcell of Nashville has declared this Friday Predators Pride Day to launch the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Predators’ quest for the Cup. Residents of Nashville are encouraged to wear their Predators gear to work on Friday. The Predators will host a Predators Pride rally on the GEC plaza from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
What is our city doing?
Like the call on Sharks in 6 games and winning the series clincher at the Tank in game 6.
This could be the year of the Sharks to bring a title to the 408. There is something about this team and the chemistry that they have going right now. Detroit is scary, but beyond them I don’t really fear anyone else in the West.
Just imagine if they actually won and Cheech, J-Thor, and the boys got to raise the cup in the Tank. At the victory parade, Gonzo would congratulate the team and take credit for their success and the players would be chaffaured down Santa Clara Street in base blasting low riders
Joe for mayor, how ‘bout Joe for Master of the Universe??? Did you know he ended world hunger yesterday after the morning skate? I also heard he helped Gore invent the internet and last week found Bin Laden in a cave with some WMDs. That guy is AMAZING!!! Keep Vesa in net, Cheech looking for an opening and Joe being, well, Joe and the Sharks are headed for an amazing playoff season!! GO SHARKS!!!!
Randy-
The Sharks could not be in better position entering the playoffs. Doug Wilson fortified an already strong club with more world-class playmaking (BIG Joe) and playoff experience and grit (Nieminen). The Bernier-Marleau-Michalek line will MUST win face-offs and produce goals. And while Nashville can compete with the Sharks in the team speed category, the same cannot be said of their playmaking ability, defense and discipline. If the refs continue to crack down on obstruction, the Sharks should roll. Although I would prefer getting it done sooner, I like your call of the Sharks in 6. Wrapping up this series—and hopefully the Stanley Cup—on home ice would be a great reward for fans who packed The Tank at 95%+ rate for the entire season.
PS: Any chance the “no fighting in the playoffs” rule is broken, allowing Scottie Parker to straighten out Brendan Witt and that idiot Darcy Hordichuk? I’d love to see Parker give those boys a little religion (if he actually gets some ice time).
This is a shocking exerpt from a Sports Illustrated article by Darren Eliot titled: FIVE FOR THE MONEY-UUNSUNG PLAYERS WHO WILL COME UP BIG IN THE PLAYOFFS
“With the playoffs beginning this week, here is a look at five players who might be the X-factor a team needs for postseason success—guys who score big goals when it matters most, even though they might not necessarily be their team’s definitive go-to offensive option:
“Alyn McCauley, San Jose Sharks
The Sharks’ dramatic turnaround has had nothing to do with McCauley. After a career year in 2003-04, he has struggled mightily to find a way to contribute offensively or otherwise. Yet with the dominance of Joe Thornton and the second line support of Patrick Marleau, the Sharks have surged to the playoffs with little need for McCauley to provide offense. That will probably still be the case in the postseason, but McCauley is a cerebral player who will find himself in third-line mismatches this spring. If he sprinkles in a little offense, the Sharks may have a mix that is tough to beat.”
The other four were Jeff Freisen-Anaheim Ducks, Jamie Langenbrunner-New Jersey Devils, Scott Hartnell-Nashville Predators and Chris Drury-Buffalo Sabres.
Low riders – classic.
What is our city doing? Well Gonzo will probably take credit for the Joe Thornton trade – actually, he probably had some back room deal with the Bruins owners to get him here! Genius! Then Gonzo will ask all 408ers with “3 Wheel Motion” to pull up their base blaring cars to the Nashville team hotel so they don’t get any sleep!
I predict pizza in the only two home games we will have to play against Nashville. Sharks in 4!!
There will be several years of great hockey in San Jose. If you think the Sharks are good now, wait till they get a more mature Steve Bernier and Matt Carle.
Did anyone else take offense to the lack of coverage in the Mercury News about our award winning Sharks players? Unreal! We boast the winners of the Art Ross trophy and the Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophy in Thornton and Cheechoo respectively and the best that that second rate paper can offer is a sidebar next to meaningless baseball coverage. I cancelled my subscription yesterday!
Thanks for the analysis Randy. I haven’t been this excited about the Sharks postseason chances in…two years.
The team seems to be firing on all cylinders at the right time. And with the exception of McCauley’s leg, the team seems to be relatively healthy.
I’m a bit concerned about Scotty Thornton. As the oldest member of the team, Thorty brings veteran leadership and experience to a team with a number of players that do not yet have playoff experience. But lately he seems to have fallen into the doghouse of coach Ron Wilson. Why is that? He’s the type of player that gives 100% on every shift. I realize that his numbers haven’t been great, but he brings other intangibles to the team that will be huge come Rounds 2 and 3. Anybody remember Vinnie Damphousse in the ‘04 Playoffs?!?!
Go Sharks!
#16 SGBF, If you noticed, the ones who have shown excitement over the Sharks lately are ESPN, TSN, SI, etc and all those media we usually call East Coast biased. This just goes to show you how much hockey still has to go to turn heads here in the Bay Area. Maybe a Stanley Cup victory will.
Scott Thornton will be a huge part of the playoffs. He can score those ugly goals you need sometimes (like just sitting on the other goalie and pushing the puck in with his face) to win. He played with Ricci remember, so it will rub off. Ville will be clutch and cause the other team to take dumb penalties and I can’t see them stopping Joe and Cheech every game – if they do Patty and Bernie need to be waiting in the wings. Remember Patty’s hatties? God blessed!
Fizzes, Bloody Marys, the whole nine yards on Sunday – 10AM start – ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
Oh and Ann Killion decided to come out from under her rock and write her “I’ll wait until the Sharks are in the playoffs and then I’ll ask interested” column.
God, I think I know how all those angry Earthquakes fans feel – NEGLECTED!
To counter Nashville’s cup playoff celebration tomorrow, the Sharks are having a viewing party at Dave & Buster’s at the Great Mall in Milpitas starting at around 4:30pm:
http://www.sjsharks.com/news/news.asp?story_id=2321
Game time, is of course, at 5pm.
Seems odd that such a viewing party could not be held at the Tank in San Jose. Could not the Downtown Association arrange something in any of the bars? Or would that only interfere with The Usual Crowd frequenting downtown on a Friday evening?
Eugene,
Cmon’ man, nobody goes downtown on a Friday night unless there’s a Sharks game!
(Just kidding…sort of.)
Erica, MD…You’re Killing me with your “Joe for Master of the Universe” post…I may use that stuff on the air tonight. Hockey Dynasty, I agree with you. This team should be a cup contender for years. Thornton’s 26 and Cheechoo is 25. Most players hit thier NHL prime between the ages of 26 and 32. Pho Hoa, You are correct. The Sharks are a “way” bigger deal nationally and in Canada than they are in the Bay Area. Seems we can’t get enought “Barry”. I must admit Single Gal’s Biggest Fan, I too was dissapointed in how the Merc played the Thornton-Cheechoo Points/Goals sweep. It was a huge story everywhere else.
Go on over to Santana Row. That’s where it’s happening.