Fair or not, past Sharks’ captains have been lightning rods for criticism in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
San Jose’s leader from 2004-09, Patrick Marleau, lost the captaincy after the top-seeded Sharks lost in the first round against No. 8 Anaheim. Joe Thornton assumed the captaincy one year after the retired Rob Blake replaced Marleau. And Thornton was summarily stripped in 2014 when Los Angeles rallied from an 3-0 deficit to advance.
Now it’s Joe Pavelski with the “C” on his sweater — and the target on his back.
The 31-year-old native of Plover, Wis.