Coach's Brutality: Sharks' Finals Curse
The San Jose Sharks have a long and storied history in the NHL, but they've also been haunted by a persistent curse: their inability to win the Stanley Cup. This curse, however, goes beyond just bad luck. It's arguably rooted in a series of controversial coaching decisions that have seemingly doomed their Stanley Cup hopes.
The 2016 Stanley Cup Finals: A Turning Point
The 2016 Stanley Cup Finals marked a defining moment in the Sharks' history. After a dominant regular season and a thrilling playoff run, they found themselves facing the Pittsburgh Penguins. Down 3-2 in the series, the Sharks were on the verge of victory, even leading 3-1 in Game 6. Then, a controversial coaching decision by Peter DeBoer changed everything.
With the Sharks on a power play, DeBoer opted to take Patrick Marleau off the ice and replace him with a fourth line player. This decision, questioned by many, ultimately backfired. The Penguins tied the game on a shorthanded goal, and went on to win in overtime, forcing a Game 7.
The Sharks lost Game 7, and the question lingered: was DeBoer's decision a pivotal turning point in the series? Some argue that it was, as it disrupted the Sharks' momentum and allowed the Penguins to regain control.
The 2019 Stanley Cup Finals: Another Missed Opportunity
The Sharks' 2019 finals run was another heartbreaker. After a hard-fought series against the St. Louis Blues, they again found themselves on the verge of winning. Despite being down 3-2, the Sharks had a golden opportunity to force a Game 7. They held a commanding lead in Game 6, but a series of coaching decisions by DeBoer ultimately cost them.
With the Sharks clinging to a 3-1 lead in the third period, DeBoer opted to play a more defensive style, which seemingly hindered the team's momentum. The Blues, sensing an opportunity, rallied and tied the game, eventually winning in overtime. The Sharks, once again, fell short of the ultimate prize.
The Curse of the "Unconventional" Coach?
DeBoer's coaching style, while successful in the regular season, has been criticized for being "unconventional" and potentially limiting his team's offensive potential in crucial moments. This criticism has become increasingly vocal as the Sharks have continued to fall short in the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Sharks' inability to overcome this hurdle begs the question: Is the curse of the "unconventional" coach hindering their chances at finally winning the Stanley Cup?
Beyond DeBoer: A History of Questionable Coaching Decisions
The Sharks' Finals curse, however, doesn't solely rest on DeBoer's shoulders. In 2010, for example, the Sharks faced off against the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference Finals. Under coach Todd McLellan, the Sharks held a 3-0 series lead, only to lose the next four games and ultimately fall short of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Many point to McLellan's decision to "overthink" the series as a contributing factor to their collapse.
The Sharks' history is filled with close calls, but ultimately they have consistently been unable to reach the pinnacle of NHL success. This, coupled with their repeated failures in the Stanley Cup Finals, has led to a perception that the team is cursed. While some might argue that it's just bad luck, the evidence suggests that questionable coaching decisions have played a significant role in the Sharks' inability to break through and claim the Stanley Cup.
