Despite issues with the playing surface during Saturday's contest between the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche, the 2021 NHL Outdoors games should be considered a success considering the picturesque setting of Lake Tahoe.
The Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins will wrap up the two-day event Sunday night.
While the response has been mostly positive, there's one fan base that still has a bit of a gripe.
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A large portion of the Sharks' fan base wishes their team had been included as one of the four teams to participate. After all, San Jose is the closest NHL city to the Edgewood Resort where the games are being played.
But based on comments from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to the San Jose Mercury News' Curtis Pashelka on Jan. 11, the league decided against selecting the Sharks in part because there would be no fans in attendance. Since they didn't have to allure local fans, the NHL decided to pick for contending teams.
On Saturday, with the Sharks playing the Blues in St. Louis, NBC Sports California decided to ask San Jose fans for their thoughts on the team not being included. Reaction in GIF form was requested.
While some fans still were upset, some actually were fine with the Sharks not being included because fans weren't able to go.
While the Sharks would have relished the opportunity to play in the marquee, nationally televised event, they are probably better off focusing on turning their season around. Following Saturday's 5-4 win over the Blues, San Jose now has a 7-7-2 record and sits in seventh place in the West Division.
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San Jose Sharks
The good news for the Sharks is that they begin an eight-game homestand Monday against the Minnesota Wild. It's the perfect chance for them to build momentum and make a playoff push.