After clinching a second-round berth with a five-game defeat of the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer is now one step closer to what would be a surprising Stanley Cup Final appearance.
It wouldn't be his first Cinderella playoff run, though, as DeBoer led the sixth-seeded New Jersey Devils to an Eastern Conference title in 2012 - his only other postseason appearance. With his past success in mind, the first-year Sharks coach admits he feels far more comfortable this time around.
"I was just winging it last time. I really was. That's the truth," DeBoer said, according to Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area. "I feel much more prepared this time around, and hopefully we have to deal with those issues."
The 47-year-old led the team back to the postseason after a one-year absence. The Sharks have missed the playoffs in just six of 24 NHL seasons, and will hope DeBoer can finally lead them to their first Clarence S. Campbell Bowl win in franchise history.
San Jose awaits the results of the series between the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators, who face off in a Game 7 on Wednesday night.
