The San Jose Sharks have made the playoffs for the seventh straight year, but did not gain entry by winning the Pacific Division -- something they have done every year since 2007-2008 and six times total since 2001-2002. The Sharks actually made their way into the playoffs in a fashion that many fans may be unaccustomed to. The Sharks normally coast into the playoffs, but this year, they had to scratch and claw their way to the finish line -- overcoming many obstacles.
All of their efforts earned them the seventh seed in the Western Conference and a matchup with the St. Louis Blues. If you don't really follow the Sharks intently, you might be surprised to find out that the Sharks didn't fare too well against the Blues during the regular season. And when I say, "Didn't fare too well," I mean they lost all four games they played against the Blues. The Sharks failed to score more than two goals in any game against the Blues -- being outscored 11-3 during the season series -- and were also shutout twice while playing in St. Louis.
Now the Sharks will have to put all of that behind them as they head into a playoff series against the same team that put them to shame during the regular season.
As much as I want the Sharks to come away victorious from this series, it's going to take a lot of hard work and focus on their part. They are going to have to take the beatings they took during the regular season and see them as learning experiences rather than negative experiences.
The Sharks definitely got outplayed in most facets of the game when facing the Blues this year. I'd like to see the Sharks come out with a completely different game plan than they had previously employed. I also think the Sharks will come out with a whole new level of intensity. I felt as if the last few times the two teams met the Sharks were in a funk and just didn't have the proper energy to compete with the Blues. Hopefully the atmosphere of the playoffs will make all the difference with the Sharks.
Beating the Blues is just part of the equation of what the Sharks are trying to do with their playoff berth. Other years they have been fortunate enough to coast into the playoffs, so maybe this year they will turn on the intensity from having to work so hard just to make the cut. Either way, the Sharks are in for one daunting series against the St. Louis Blues.
David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions - all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, "Not knowing any better". Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.
You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp
Sources:
Yahoo! Sports. Blues vs. Sharks Preview. NHL 2012
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