Kane’s audition with the San Jose Sharks proved fruitful as he made an immediate impact with his new team. At the trade deadline, the Sharks did not have a spot locked for the playoffs but left themselves in position to clinch.
Adversity hit the Sharks after Joe Thornton went down with a knee injury and did not return for the rest of the season. The Sharks struggled the first few games without Thornton but managed to get over the hump after the younger players stepped up.
San Jose played with a different identity after Thornton’s injury with faster play and being tenacious around the puck.