When Concern Gives Way To Paranoia

Before enjoying the Sharks’ 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, I had the chance to read Gary Peterson’s column in the San Jose Mercury News about the Sharks 5-game winless streak prior to that game.

To be fair, here is Gary’s story so that you can read it for yourself. In the meantime, here is what I gleaned from the article:

First off, equating December games to ones that have more significance in April & May is fallacious at best. I can remember when the Sharks ripped through last December with fans believing that it would be the year that they get over the hump. Gee, how did that end up? To try to equate that same logic with this year’s version of the Sharks is unsound.

Secondly, I have to appreciate the power play statistics that Gary put together and how they eerily ended up being the same between that five-game skid and the last four elimination series (cue the “Twilight Zone” music, please). While this appealed to my number-geek side, he is trying to compare apples to oranges in this case.

What do this current stretch of games and last year’s postseason have in common? Players are getting over injuries, and trying to find their comfort zone again. The difference is, you can do that in December and make sure you are finely tuned and ready when the games really matter. When it’s around April, well let’s just say time is not exactly on your side.

I will just say this, I have not been completely oblivious to the Sharks faults and know they still have plenty of things to work on. Besides their power play, they STILL have problems getting the puck out of their own zone. This has been persistent since the start of the season. I also know that as each calendar page turns, the games mean more. Right about now, this is about the end of the first half in terms of the hockey calendar.

Is it ok to be concerned? Absolutely so, it means you care as a fan.

Should it give way to paranoia? Not unless the Sharks are one win away from being eliminated.

The fairer assessment would be to pay more attention after the olympic break (which should be exciting with the potential number of Sharks participating), when things really need to get fine tuned before the ever exciting playoffs.

This is just the opinion of your humble Sharks correspondent, because I too care about this team.

Tags: Opinion