San Jose Sharks Face Kings In Game 7: Game Preview
By Eric He
Apr 24, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) blocks a shot during the game against the San Jose Sharks during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Kings won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
When the San Jose Sharks jumped ahead 3-0 in the best of seven series against the Los Angeles Kings, the thought was that they would finish off the Kings relatively soon and have plenty of time to rest and prepare for their second round opponent.
Whoever thought that would be the case is dead wrong, as the Kings have come back with three straight wins of their own to tie the series at 3-3. Now, it’s time for Game 7, a win-or-go-home scenario for both teams.
The momentum obviously favors the Kings. They are on an absolute roll, dominating the Sharks in the past three games. Jonathan Quick has looked like the Jonathan Quick of old, allowing just one goal in the last two games.
In Game 6, the Kings used a furious third period rally to defeat the Sharks 4-1, scoring three times in the third.
Preliminary reports suggest that the Sharks will go with Antti Niemi in net. Rookie Alex Stalock started the Game 6 loss.
Injury Report
Sharks: Adam Burish (hand) is out. Marc-Edouard Vlasic (upper body) is uncertain.
Kings: None
Probable Lines
SAN JOSE
Forwards
Hertl-Thornton-Burns
Marleau-Couture-Nieto
Sheppard-Pavelski-Wingels
Torres-Desjardins-Brown
Defensemen
Hannan-Demers
Stuart-Braun
Irwin-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: SAP Center, San Jose, CA
TV: NBCSN, LOCAL