JianYang
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2017
- 18,136
- 16,673
There were at least a few years during the Thornton era where the Sharks went into the playoffs as a presumptive favorite for the cup.
Of this whole Toronto cycle of failure, the only two times they had legit path were 2019 (if they get through Boston they go to the finals in their place and should beat St. Louis), and probably 2021 with the Canadian division setting them up for an easy path to the semifinals. Otherwise they always had Tampa, Washington, or Boston in their way.
The canadian division also had to go through Vegas, and then arguably the best assembled team in the cap era in Tampa. Certainly not an easy ticket, when taking it all in account.
As for the question, I think maybe the more apt comparison for the new version of the Sharks could be the Carolina Hurricanes.
The leafs are perennial 1st round exiters and we are 8 years into this matthews window. I don't know if I can find an appropriate comparison in history but it would have to be an underachiever that just kept losing in the first round over and over for several years in a row.
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