What a Difference a Year Makes

Doesn’t it seem like this year’s version of the San Jose Sharks is a bit under the radar to you? Think about it, last year, after the same amount of games they were guns a-blazin’ right out of the gate and many believed that team was ready to take the next step. Everything was clicking, and it seemed like they couldn’t be stopped. That is until the Sharks ended up stopping themselves when it mattered most.

Fast forward to 19 games into this season, and the Sharks mania seems to be much more tempered this time. Do you realize though that as of this moment the Sharks have the best regular season record? It’s true, even though they’ve tallied less points than last year’s start they still are at the front of the pack. Compare this from last year after 19 games and now:

2008-09: 15-3-1, 31 points

2009-10: 13-4-2, 28 points

What is absolutely funny to me is that some fans seem to think that the Sharks are off to a slow start, if that’s the case, then what was last year exactly? It’s practically the same start.

There is a big difference between now and then, and that is the depth of this squad. Had any of you heard of guys like Benn Ferriero, Derek Joslin, Jason Demers, or Ryan Vesce before this season? Did you even think they would make an impact THIS YEAR? If you did, let me know so I can pick your brain for the next selection of lotto numbers.

In my honest opinion, I believe that fans have tempered their Sharks mania in order to see what happens in the playoffs. If you want an indication, just keep an eye on the final one-and-a-half months of the season. It should serve as an indicator for how teams will fare in the playoffs. Don’t believe me? Check out the “stretch run” records of the teams that made the playoffs last year:

Pittsburgh Penguins: 14-2-3, Won Stanley Cup

Vancouver Canucks: 14-5-2, Lost in Semifinals to Chicago

St. Louis Blues: 13-5-2, Lost in Quarterfinals to Vancouver

Chicago Blackhawks: 12-7-3, Lost in Conference Finals to Detroit

Carolina Hurricanes: 12-3-2, Lost in Conference Finals to Pittsburgh

Anaheim Ducks: 11-5-2, Lost in Semifinals to Detroit

San Jose Sharks: 11-8-2, Lost in Quarterfinals to Anaheim

Columbus Blue Jackets: 10-6-4, Lost in Quarterfinals to Detroit

New York Rangers: 11-6-1, Lost in Quarterfinals to Washington

Boston Bruins: 11-7-1, Lost in Semifinals to Carolina

New Jersey Devils: 11-8-1, Lost in Quarterfinals to Carolina

Philadelphia Flyers: 11-10-1, Lost in Quarterfinals to Pittsburgh

Washington Capitals: 10-6-3, Lost in Semifinals to Pittsburgh

Detroit Red Wings: 10-7-2, Lost Stanley Cup

Calgary Flames: 9-12, Lost in Quarterfinals to Chicago

Montreal Canadiens: 7-8-4, Lost in Quarterfinals to Boston

Now take from that what you will, primarily because Detroit limped down the stretch and still made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. Some of those teams benefitted from hot starts, but their tepid finishes ended up as their undoing. At this point, it is way too early to say what will happen with this year’s playoffs. Just remember that catching momentum at the right time can take you all the way to the top. Even for a team like Pittsburgh that finished with a different coach than they started with.

Enjoy the great play, but let’s put aside the scrutinizing glasses until the calendar turns to March when things get VERY interesting as usual. That is the time to put everything together to finally have a ticker tape parade in downtown San Jose.