Pacific Divisional Series
(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (3) Los Angeles Kings
Season series: Kings won 3-1-1
They have a history: Being division and state rivals, these two teams know one another well and will meet in the post-season for the third time in four years. Last season, the Kings beat the Sharks in an exciting, seven-game series in which Jonathan Quick was a marvel and the home team won every game. In 2010-11, it took the Sharks six games to eliminate the Kings in the opening round in what was Logan Couture’s coming-out party. When these teams clash, they leave nothing on the table. Fans can expect a fast-paced, tight-checking, physical series. This matchup will be Western Conference hockey personified.
For the Sharks to win: Led by forwards like Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture, it’s no surprise the Sharks are one of the best puck-possession teams in the league. Despite a high-powered offence, the Sharks’ best quality is their balance — a trait most Stanley Cup-winning teams have in common. Up front they’ve got a nice mix of size, speed, skill and grit, while unheralded shutdown man Marc-Edouard Vlasic patrols the blue line along with veteran power-play quarterback Dan Boyle. Getting rookie standout Tomas Hertl back from injury is a nice boost that enables the Sharks to deploy three lines with legitimate scoring ability. The Sharks had 29 wins at the SAP Center, so having home-ice advantage is big. If it weren’t for their previous post-season disappointments, the Sharks would be one of the Cup favourites.
Best Sharks storyline: Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau have played a combined 2,454 regular-season games without ever making it to a Cup final. They registered a combined four points (one from Thornton, three from Marleau) in five games against the Kings this season, but the two leaders will battle tooth and nail to make sure this year is different than previous playoff busts.
Leading scorer: Joe Pavelski, 79 (41 goals, 38 assists)
Game 1 starter: Antti Niemi, 39-17-7, 2.39 goals-against average, .913 save percentage
For the Kings to win: The chemistry Anze Kopitar has developed with new linemate Marian Gaborik is exactly what Dean Lombardi envisioned when he acquired the Slovak sniper from the Columbus Blue Jackets at the trade deadline. The Kings turn it up when it counts, and that must happen again if they wish to survive the surging Sharks. The Kings have limped into the playoffs, losing four of their last five games, including a close 2-1 road game in San Jose. Drew Doughty missed the final few regular season games but is expected to be fine for Game 1. While the two-time Olympic gold medallist gets the bulk of attention, Alec Martinez, Slava Voynov and the rest of the Kings’ blue-liners are no slouches and won’t give the Sharks any easy scoring chances. Oh, yeah, the Kings also have some guy named Jonathan Quick, a Conn Smythe, William Jennings and Stanley Cup winner who can steal a game as well as any netminder in the league.
Best Kings storyline: Quick typically plays out of his mind in the playoffs. If he performs like he did in the Kings’ 2012 Cup run and last year’s trip to the conference final, he’ll firmly establish himself as the best big-game goalie in hockey.
Leading scorer: Anze Kopitar, 70 (29 goals, 41 assists)
Game 1 starter: Jonathan Quick, 27-17-4, 2.07 goals-against average, .915 save percentage
Matchup to watch: This series ultimately boils down to one battle: Sharks’ offence versus the Kings’ defence (read: Quick). The Sharks beat the Kings twice this season, but Quick wasn’t in net for either victory. Only four teams scored more goals than the Sharks this season, but the Kings are the best defensive team in the NHL, allowing fewer goals than any team. The Kings also struggled to score, so if the Sharks forwards can get two or three pucks past Quick each game – easier said than done — they should dethrone the Kings.
Big question: Is this the year the Sharks finally do something significant in the post-season? They’ve been a regular-season powerhouse since 2003-04 but only have 10 playoff series wins during that time.
Best bet: Sharks in seven.
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