San Jose Sharks Through 53 Games

Video Highlights from Last Game

With four days in between games, the San Jose Sharks will get a chance to restup, work on a few things in practice, and prepare to take on the Chicago Blackhawks. Obviously, with the Hawks battling us for the best record in the league, it's going to be an important game. Though the result of next Thursday's match will provide the media and fans a lot to talk about, it really is just another game, just another two points. Of course, both teams would like to use the other as a measuring stick, but what ever happens that night probably won't positively or negatively impact the winner or loser all that much. With that said, I'd like to take a look at the Sharks performance through the last 53 games as this should give us a better idea of how Team Teal is performing...at least in my humble opinion.

In the chart above, with every win or loss, the line goes up or goes down...very straightforward. As you can see, there was a bit of a rollercoaster start to the season, but that was expected given that relatively 50% of the team had changed. Fortunately, starting at Game 11, San Jose eventually got things going in the right direction and rattled off six straight wins. However, again the rollercoaster ride reared its ugly head as the Sharks went .500 over the next 10 games thanks to poor performances against Detroit, Dallas, Nashville, and Chicago (twice).

The silver lining coming from this 10 game stretch was that San Jose never lost more than two games in a row and as many fans have heard in the past, a strong team never loses more than two straight. Well, if that is true, then the five game losing streak highlighted in the chart should give us fans something to worry about. I think most of us sort of overlooked that losing streak because San Jose was then able to rattle off eight wins in a row to get back to the top. However, maybe we should be concerned...maybe that wasn't just a blip on the radar. If those five games were a round in the playoffs, then that can easily mean another 1st or second round exit. I think the goal to "never lose more than 2 games in a row" makes a lot of sense. Regardless of what time of year it is, if you never lose more than two games in a row, you're always still in it...whether it be the regular season or the playoffs.

Just for comparison, let's take a look at the Chicago Blackhawks through their first 52 games. They had an early eight game winning streak as well, so it's safe to say that they're capable of rattling of a number of wins just like San Jose. However, after a closer look, you'll notice that they never lost more than two games in a row so far this season. So, according to the "rule", the Blackhawks are a stronger team than the Sharks. By never losing more than two games in a row, Chicago has never been too low...they've always been near or at the top of the league.

Blackhawks Win Loss Chart

So, as Sharks fans, should we believe that Chicago is better? Well, their chart looks better and they're currently winning the season series by a count of 2 games to 1. However, San Jose is four points ahead of Chicago and they on have a single game in hand. So what's my point?

Well, I guess my point is that the Sharks are as good as the Blackhawks given their similar records, against the rest of the league and eachother. However, Team Teal is going to need more consistency in their play...shorter losing streaks, further and further apart from eachother would be best. And maybe that is why Coach Todd McLellan is alwasy harping about consistency as well because he knows consistent play is a good thing...during the regular season and the playoffs.

At any rate, regardless of what the number show or which team is trending better and at what time, I have faith in my San Jose Sharks. They have the talent, the experience, and the newly acquired grit that it takes to make a strong run through the playoffs. Besides, I know it's cheesy, but it still remains true...hockey is played on the ice and not on paper.

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