The face of the San Jose Sharks for the last decade has been Joe Thornton — a surefire Hall of Famer who’s still one of the NHL’s best centers at age 36.
But it’s another Joe who’s the key to the Sharks’ chances of winning their first-ever Stanley Cup. That man is Joe Pavelski, who took over for Thornton as captain this season and is leading the charge in San Jose’s current playoff run.
Pavelski’s go-ahead goal late in the third period of Game 2 of the Sharks’ second-round playoff series against the Nashville Predators on Sunday night propelled his team to a 2-0 series lead — halfway to its first Western Conference finals appearance since 2011.
Pavelski puts the Sharks on top late pic.twitter.com/86ckPTUjyl
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 2, 2016
It’s early for Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP) rankings, but Pavelski should be at the top of everyone’s list, or in the top three at the very least.
He was the catalyst for San Jose’s surprising upset of the Los Angeles Kings in a five-game Round 1 triumph, tallying five goals and one assist. He’s scored one goal with three assists through two games of Round 2, including a three-point effort Sunday night. Pavelski now ranks tied for third among all playoff scorers with 10 points.
Joe Pavelski posted his 6th career three-point game in the postseason (all w/ SJS), the most in @SanJoseSharks playoff history. @EliasSports
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 2, 2016
Pavelski actually has been one of the better forwards in the league for several seasons. He’s just been playing in Thornton and Patrick Marleau’s shadow. He’s scored 20 or more goals in each of the last seven non-lockout seasons, and he’s averaged 38.6 goals over the last three campaigns. Pavelski posted 38 goals (fifth-best in the league) and 40 assists while playing in all 82 games during the 2015-16 regular season.
The Sharks still are a long way from winning the Stanley Cup, and if history has taught us anything, their fans shouldn’t be too optimistic.
But this Sharks team, in fairness, looks to be different than previous versions that succumbed to pressure and high expectations.
They are getting key goals at important moments from different players, Martin Jones is giving them quality playoff goaltending (a major weakness in recent playoff runs) and the best players — Thornton, Marleau, Pavelski and Logan Couture — are stepping up.
Pavelski is paving the way as a captain and first-line forward. His performance so far makes him the early Conn Smythe favorite.
Thumbnail photo via Neville E. Guard/USA TODAY Sports Images
