What We Learned: San Jose Sharks approaching historically bad start

It feels early to talk about tanking, being that it's not even Halloween, but here we are: The 2023-24 San Jose Sharks.

The first thing you have to say is that they have had a brutal schedule.

Their opening home stand was against the Vegas Golden Knights (the reigning champs), Colorado Avalanche (the previous champs), Carolina Hurricanes (third in the league by points percentage over the past three seasons), and Boston Bruins (who just posted the best regular-season record in NHL history).

Then they got a reprieve against the Nashville Predators (only a team with one of the best goalies in the world), before facing the Florida Panthers (just went to a Cup Final), Tampa Bay Lightning (three straight Cup Finals including two wins), and the Hurricanes, again.

They played the Washington Capitals —