For Pavelski and the other Sharks, reduced to minimalist answers and devastated looks after so much time and effort spent chasing the cup, the hurt mattered more than the logic.
SAN JOSE -- It does no good to tell Joe Pavelski that the better team won the Stanley Cup. It also does no good to tell him that the San Jose Sharks had a deep and valiant run toward that end.
All there is right now is the bilious taste of going so far and getting nothing but a handshake line from joyous opponents and red-rimmed eyes.