In My Playoff Dreams: Hopes For The Sharks' Postseason

I’m trying to be a realist this season. In the past, I’ve always had an undying devotion to the Sharks. Hope springs eternal and no matter what the game or situation, I was sure they’d pull it off in the end. However, after a string of disappoints, I’ve become more pragmatic and some would say pessimistic.

In past playoff dreams, I was hoping for a quick sweep in round one. A round one upset of Detroit so we never had to play them, and then a breeze through to the Stanley Cup Finals. Oh how naïve I once was.

So this is what I want this time around:

Detroit: This time I want it to be hard and that means Detroit. I want Detroit in the first round. They are Goliath to our David and for the Sharks to truly be the best, they must win in Joe Louis Arena.

Joe Angry: From April through June I want to see Joe Thornton yelling during every game. At the refs, at the other team; I want him spitting nails. When Jumbo’s truly mad, he’s like Superman. He can take on three guys and still get the pass away for the tap in goal.

60 Minutes of Hockey: I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve seen the Sharks play a full game. January’s 9 – 1 walloping of the Calgary Flames comes close, but there were still lulls. Come playoffs, I want to see 60 minutes of grind it out hockey. None of this 2^nd period slump and 3^rd period comeback that’s been so common lately.

A Hot Goalie: Seems we’re always getting stopped by a hot goalie, it’s time a hot goalie stopped the other team. Close the five-hole Nabby and get hot. Stop earning your keep during the regular season, it’s the playoffs that really count.

I know there are about a dozen games left, but barring an insane meltdown we’re in. For Sharks fans it’s all about the playoffs and hopefully at least some of my playoff dreams will come true this year, including a Stanley Cup.