Game 6 & 7 at the same time (NHL Playoffs)

[Wind Lane]

Well, my San Jose Sharks were just eliminated from the playoffs tonight. They made it as interesting as possible by taking the game into the fourth overtime, but Marty Turco was absolutely amazing. So I didn't get game seven like I wanted, but I did get at least two games worth of hockey.

I'd love to hear what the other hockey fans here think was the Sharks' weakness that allowed Dallas to put them away.

[ewabbie]

What a great rivalry, Dallas and the Sharks. Some interesting history there. From the Notrh Stars to Belfour going to Dallas. Remember the Nolan check on Belfour with a 4-0 lead?
So I would blame the loss on Belfour.

[Hahma]

Well my wife being a huge Stars fan was thrilled with the victory.

The problem with the Sharks as I see it, is that they became too much of a boring defensive team this season for some reason and ran into another good defensive team, though this Stars team has more offensive presence than it as had in the past and it was enough to get past the Sharks. The Sharks got good contributions from guys like Clowe and Pavelski, but Thornton couldn't carry them and Marleau and Cheechoo were disappointing offensively IMO.

The Sharks were similar to the Rangers that relied too heavily on great goaltending and defense but couldn't muster enough offense against another good defensive team that could put up the points like the Pens. The Pens play great defensively (which is overshadowed by their offensive talent) and they got great goaltending from Fleury since he came back from his high-ankle sprain.

I think the final four teams deserve to be there as they all seem to be balanced. They all have fantastic goaltending, can play good defensively and have some offensive firepower. I for one am glad that a defense only team isn't going to the finals, not only is it boring, it's not good for promoting the sport to a wider audience.

Good luck next year to the Sharks Windlane

[Revdyer]

Wind Lane, I think you put your finger on the crucial factor in your own post -- Marty!

Interesting, too, that it was the eighth longest game in NHL history.

[Wind Lane]

Yeah, Marty Turco was just incredible with how well he played.

And I fully agree with you, Hahma. The Sharks have done a very annoying thing all season (and in the playoffs too) where once they were up by three or had a lead in the third period, they tried to just sit on it and they're not that kind of team. They're a fast team with good puck handlers. They needed to work on the quickness of their passing as each player would tend to hold the puck too long. But they really suffered by not exploiting all the offensive punch they can generate when they just go.

And I've thought all season that it was the coaching that caused most of the problems. It's coaching's job to design the plan of attack, get the young players acclimated to the pace and pressure of the big leagues, and to give a swift kick in the pants when a team is under-performing. And Wilson just doesn't seem to be the guy to do that. He's the winningest active coach in the NHL right now but has never won a championship, and he had a really solid team to do it with.

He's not the right style coach for the team that's been built, but I miss Darryl Sutter. The mentallity he brought to the game, his coaching, and infected his players with is why Calgary nearly beat the Sharks with an inferior team. Sutter knows how to pick hard workers and leaders.