As the Sharks enter the All-Star break, they sit 11 points out of a playoff spot, with 32 games to go. Depending on your source for such things, the Sharks have between a 0.9 percent and 5 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Having already earned just two regulation losses shy of last year’s total, it is clear that the Sharks season is effectively decided. Barring a miracle beyond that of the 2019 St. Louis Blues, the team will miss the playoffs for only the third time in the Joe Thornton era.
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Often teams suffering a disappointing season can look forward to a wealth of high-quality prospects and a chance in the NHL’s draft lottery.