SAN JOSE – While the mathematics says they still are in contention for an NHL playoff spot, the Sharks’ postseason hopes essentially ended Saturday night with a 4-3 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
Not that anyone inside the SAP Center or associated with the Sharks will admit to that. Like they have basically all season, to a person there’s a belief that somehow things will work out.
Even if San Jose doesn’t make it to the postseason, the Sharks can be comfortable knowing that this season was an absolute success by any measure.
Most experts thought the Sharks would become this kind of team in the next year or so. Blessed with a core of youth – talented youth – the thinking was that it would take some time for a natural development.
With a young sensation like Macklin Celebrini, however, nothing is always as it seems.
Celebrini garnered another three points (one goal, two assists) in the loss to the Canucks and continues to hurtle his way into history, both in San Jose and in the NHL.
Celebrini also is the key component that gets the Sharks’ young motors running. The 19-year-old sees his teammates benefiting from this playoff run, whether they make it into the postseason or not.
“We got a good taste of it, how crazy this year has been with the (playoff) race in both conferences,,” Celebrini said. “tI’s been so tight. It was a lot of fun, the hockey. Obviously we didn’t capitalize when we could have.”
If the Sharks are left out of the postseason dance, they indeed will have plenty of moments to look back upon that could have changed the direction of their season.
Take Saturday’s game against Vancouver for example.
San Jose had a lead and momentum in the third period but the defense – suspect all season – broke down late during a penalty kill and surrendered the tying goal.
During the shootout, Celebrini gave the crowd a jolt with his goal before the curtains came down and the Canucks escaped with a win.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky is one of those who still believes that the Teal can make it into the postseason. Regardless, he said the value of playoff atmosphere hockey is key for some of his younger players.
“It’s a great experience ,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t get what you want. What you get is some experience through it. We’re struggling to find our way this time of year.
“We have moments of positive play and some moments of the areas that we need to clean up for sure and be better. We’ll reflect back when it’s all over.”