HockeyOlympic hangover hurting Nabokov

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The San Jose Sharks had been the team to beat in the NHL all year long.

Through the 62 games leading into the Olympic break, they had a 40-13-9 record to sit atop the Western Conference.  They had never lost two games in a row in regulation and with undefeated streaks of 12, 10 and eight games, they had been one of the NHL's most consistent teams.

With eight players participating in the Olympics, there naturally was some concern that the Sharks might struggle once the season resumed, but I don't think anyone could have foreseen the collapse that has transpired over the last six games.

Late-season free fall

OK, you can use the fatigue excuse for a while, and history has shown that slumps have occurred after long breaks away from the game.  Even players who didn't play at the Olympics have had a hard time cranking up their game after a two-week hiatus.  The Sharks have a record of 3-6-1 in the 10 games since returning to NHL action, but it's their current 0-5-1 free fall that has Sharks fans panicking.

In goal, Evgeni Nabokov entered the Olympics as one of the NHL's top goalies statistically, but has returned from the games a shell of his former self.  His Olympic numbers were less than impressive with a 4.16 goals-against average and a .853 save percentage in three appearances.

The numbers however, are only part of the story.

In the biggest matchup of his life against the Canadians he served up a stinker of a performance.  It was his worst game ever.  Watching him finally get pulled from the game with the Canadians scoring at will, you had to wonder what lasting effect that kind of performance would have on his psyche.  The answer - unfortunately for Sharks fans - seems to be, devastating.

A test of adversity

Think back to 2002 in Salt Lake City when Tommy Salo misplayed a long shot off his head in a game against Belarus. Not only did it cost Sweden a chance at a medal, but also ruined Salo's confidence and the remainder of the season for the Edmonton Oilers.  Salo was never the same goalie, and was out of the NHL soon thereafter.  As much as a memorable moment can change a players life for the better, such as Henderson's goal in '72 or Lemieux's in '87 or most recently Crosby's OT winner, a disastrous performance can be equally demoralizing.

Take Steve Smith's ill-fated pass up the middle that bounced off Grant Fuhr and in during the 1986 playoffs against Calgary.  For a lot of players that moment could have ruined their career, but Smith had the confidence and mental ability to battle back and ended up being a key contributor during three more Stanley Cup championships by the Oilers.

In his return to NHL action, Nabokov has struggled to regain his form and the Sharks' playoff hopes have suffered because of it.  With a 3-6-0 record and an inflated 3.77 GAA and .874 save percentage, San Jose has fallen from first to fourth in a matter of weeks.

With the added pressure of past post-season failures hanging over his head, Nabokov is clearly under the gun.  The time is now for him to show he is an elite goalie, and show he has the mental toughness and desire to be a big-time performer.  All great goalies have had to pass the test of greatness by battling adversity and finding a way to overcome it.

If Nabokov can't find a way to regain his form and his confidence quickly, it will be another good regular season wasted by a disappointing playoff.  An all too familiar story for the San Jose Sharks.

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