San Jose Sharks: Logan Couture major reason for Stanley Cup chance
The San Jose Sharks are getting closer to their longtime goal of a Stanley Cup win, and thanks to Logan Couture, they have a real chance in getting it done.
The San Jose Sharks are the classic great regular season team who choke in the NHL playoffs. Their fans have seen it time and time again. They were lucky enough to build around quality players over the last decade, but were never able to get over that major hump.
It goes without saying, the NHL playoffs are a different beast. Teams that seem to do well in the regular season have a bit of a falling out come playoff time.
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Both the Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames came up short after amazing regular season performances. Since 1985, the President’s Trophy winner has only won the Stanley Cup eight times. The Chicago Blackhawks were the last team to do it in 2013.
The Sharks finished second in the Pacific Division, and are looking to carry that momentum into the Stanley Cup Final. While they should not look past the St. Louis Blues, there is a glimmer of hope for San Jose to finally make that jump, thanks to Logan Couture.
The Blues took a commanding 3-2 series lead over the weekend and it will be up to the Sharks to steal Game 6 on the road. If there is any player right now to help them do that, it is Couture.
Logan Couture’s best season yet
Couture signed an eight-year contract extension with the Sharks last July. Needless to say, he’s not only proving to be worth the money, but that he’s committed to San Jose as well. This everything the Sharks hoped for early in Couture’s career.
Injuries have continued to plague him, with his only full 82-game season in 2014-15. He scored 27 goals and 67 points that year. While his goals are down from last year, his playmaking ability has skyrocketed. A fair trade-off with some of the goal-scoring skills on the Sharks roster.
What is most impressive about Couture is that he thrives in the games that matter. in 113 career playoff games, Couture has 48 goals and 101 points, which includes a four-goal, 15-game rookie campaign. Now, if he can carry his team to their first Stanley Cup win ever, a Conn Smythe win and long-term superstar status will be within his grasp.
This NHL postseason, Couture has 14 goals, four ahead of teammate Tomas Hertl, and 20 points, 2 ahead of Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins.
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The Blues have shown incredible resiliency this year, but the Sharks have some of the best firepower in the NHL, and they are clicking on all cylinders at the perfect time. Couture has the most to do with that, and if the Sharks advance to the Stanley Cup finals, Couture rise to stardom will be in full effect.