San Jose Sharks Face Kings In Game 7: Game Preview

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