This is why the Stanley Cup is so hard to win.
The Sharks have received strong performances from all of their top players, a vast departure from recent postseasons. The Predators will play their 14th game in 28 nights, and already have survived three elimination games.
One team’s season will end Thursday in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals at SAP Center. It might happen in regulation. It might happen in overtime. The only certainty is that there will be handshakes afterward.
One team resets with a fresh set of four lifelines, the other goes home.