The San Jose Sharks’ Stanley Cup journey will begin with a first round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings in what should be a hard-fought, physical and grinding series. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Sixteen wins separate the San Jose Sharks from winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Unfortunately, they’ve been in the same position every year for the past decade, and have not yet reached the Finals.
But with every year comes renewed hope. Hope that the Sharks can break through and put together sixteen solid games. Hope that the hockey Gods answer our prayers. Hope that the Sharks can win it all.
This year’s journey will begin with a first round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings in what should be a hard-fought, physical and grinding series. The Kings won the season series 3-1-1, but the playoffs are an entirely different animal.
Probable Lines
Sharks’ coach Todd McLellan has been mixing-and-matching with the lines during practice, perhaps to confuse the Kings.
According to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun, here were the Sharks’ forward lines during Wednesday’s practice:
Pavelski-Thornton-Burns
Marleau-Couture-Nieto/Havlat
Hertl-Sheppard-Wingels
5 players (including Torres, and presumably Kennedy, Desjardins, Brown, and Kearns)
The defense should stay the same as it was during the final stretch of the regular season:
Braun-Demers
Irwin-Boyle
Stuart-Hannan
McLellan has yet to name a starting goaltender, but it is presumed to be Antti Niemi, who has playoff experience and already has a Stanley Cup.
Here are the probable lines for the Kings, based on their practice sessions as well:
Forwards
Gaborik-Kopitar-Williams
King-Richards-Carter
Toffoli-Stoll-Brown
Pearson-Clifford-Lewis/Nolan
Defensemen
Muzzin-Doughty
Regehr-Voynov
Mitchell-Martinez/Greene
Goalies
Quick
Jones
Injury Report
SJ: Raffi Torres (soreness) will likely play, as will Bracken Kearns (undisclosed)
LA: Drew Doughty (upper body) will play
Game Info
Opening Face-Off: 7:30 PM PST
Location: SAP Center, San Jose, CA
TV: NBCSN, CBC, FSW, CSNCA