San Jose Sharks Have Another Chance To Advance in L.A.: Game Preview
By Eric He
What was once a commanding 3-0 lead for the San Jose Sharks in this best-of-seven first round series against the Los Angeles Kings has turned become just a slim 3-2 advantage. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
What was once a commanding 3-0 lead for the San Jose Sharks in this best-of-seven first round series against the Los Angeles Kings has turned become just a slim 3-2 advantage, as the Sharks have failed to close things out the past two games.
Both games — Games 4 and 5 — were lost by decisive, three-goal margins: 6-3 on Thursday, and 3-0 on Saturday. It’s tough to say which loss has been worse, but undoubtedly the shutout in Game 5 has to be fresh in everyone’s minds. The Sharks were denied by Jonathan Quick, who made 30 saves, while the Kings peppered Antti Niemi and forced a change in goal as Alex Stalock came in. San Jose was 0-for-5 on the power play in a frustrating night, both offensively and defensively.
However, the Sharks cannot hang their heads. They still have the lead in the series, with a chance to close things out once again at the Staples Center on Monday night. While the Kings certainly have the momentum, all the pressure is on them to win and force a Game 7.
For the Sharks, they need to get back to how they played to jump out to 3-0 lead in the series. The offense was clicking, all four lines were rolling, the power play was producing, and goaltending wasn’t a predominant issue.
The last thing Sharks fans want is a do-or-die game on Wednesday at SAP Center.
Injury Report
Sharks: Adam Burish (hand) is out. Marc-Edouard Vlasic left Game 5 with an upper-body injury in the first period and did not return. His status is uncertain.
Kings: None
Probable Lines
SAN JOSE
Forwards
Hertl-Thornton-Burns
Marleau-Couture-Nieto
Sheppard-Pavelski-Wingels
Torres-Desjardins-Brown
Defensemen
Vlasic-Boyle
Stuart-Demers
Hannan-Boyle
Goalies
Niemi
Stalock
LOS ANGELES
Fowards
Brown-Kopitar-Gaborik
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
King-Stoll-Williams
Clifford-Richards-Lewis
Defensemen
Muzzin-Doughty
Regehr-Voynov
Mitchell-Martinez
Goalies
Quick
Jones
Game Info
Opening Faceoff: 7:00 PM PST
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
TV: NBCSN, LOCAL