San Jose Sharks Have Thrived With Lead Against Kings
The Sharks have only trailed for four minutes and two seconds through the first four games of this series.
The San Jose Sharks are on the brink of advancing to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time since 2013, and one of the big reasons why they find themselves in this advantageous position is they have rarely trailed to this point in the series.
After allowing the first goal of the series to Jake Muzzin just 2:53 into Game One, things didn’t look promising for team teal. However, this team has shown a resiliency all season long to come right back and they did so behind captain Joe Pavelski and have rarely looked back since.
In fact, the Sharks have trailed for only four minutes and two seconds in this series, with all of that time coming in Game One. The longest amount of time they’ve been behind came in the 3:37 span between Muzzin’s and Pavelski’s goals in the first period of Game One.
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Now, Los Angeles was able to score the game-winner in overtime to take Game Three, but San Jose has done a great job of keeping the Kings at bay for the most part.
The Sharks have scored the first goal in the last three games which has allowed them to help dictate the pace and flow of the game. San Jose can settle in and apply pressure on an L.A. team that has struggled to consistently generate any sort of sustained offensive attack.
The Kings are a team that is used to playing a suffocating style of defensive hockey which helps limit the opportunities for their opponents. L.A. ranked third in the regular season in goals against per game at 2.34, and San Jose has exceeded that total in each of their three victories.
With team teal either tied or playing with the lead, it forces the Kings to open up their defensive structure which plays right into the hands of the Sharks.
As things shift back to L.A. for Game Five, San Jose will emphasize playing exactly the same way they have through the first four games where they’ve been able to neutralize the speed of the Kings through the center of the ice.
They’ve kept L.A. on the perimeter and not allowed many second or third opportunities in front of Martin Jones.
Next: Sharks Look To Wrap Things Up In Game 5
While it won’t be easy against a desperate Kings team, if the Sharks can grab an early lead, they’ve shown the ability to see things through to the end.
In this case, it would mean the end of the season for their bitter rivals and a date in the second round for San Jose.