Fansided

San Jose Sharks Look To Close Out Kings In Game Five

By Patrick Leiva |
Apr 16, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) reacts after allowing a goal by San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (not pictured) during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) reacts after allowing a goal by San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (not pictured) during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Sharks have an opportunity to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2013.

Now, the real test begins for the San Jose Sharks.

Following their big 3-2 victory in Game 4 on Wednesday night, San Jose is on the precipice of advancing to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time since 2013.

Their first opportunity to move on occurs tonight in Game 5 as the Los Angeles Kings will look to send this series back up to the Bay Area on Sunday for Game 6.

Team teal hopes their success inside Staples Center this season will continue for one more night as the Sharks are a perfect 4-0 in L.A., including victories in Games 1 and 2 of this series.

It won’t be easy for San Jose tonight as you know the Kings will bring forth their best effort. With the way this series has gone, you can expect a tightly contested game that will likely come down to the final seconds as each game has been decided by one goal thus far.

Players to Watch

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Sharks: Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Vlasic is the unsung hero of this San Jose team as he always seems to fly under the radar. His game isn’t flashy, but it’s highly effective as he’s been a major key for the Sharks in limiting the offensive chances for the Kings thus far. Vlasic was huge in Game 4 where he blocked five shots, including several in the last two minutes of the contest. For the series, he has one assist and a plus-two rating in more than 23 minutes of ice time.

Kings: Drew Doughty. Doughty has been frustrated by the Sharks thus far as he has yet to record a single point to go along with his minus-three rating. L.A. has leaned heavily on Doughty who is averaging more than 31 minutes of ice time through the first four games. With the Kings season on the brink, you can bet he will see just as much if not more ice time tonight.

Keys to the Game

1. Match Their Intensity

The Kings will be flying out of the gates as they look to keep their season alive. The Sharks need to weather the storm early by making the simple plays and getting the puck through the neutral zone into the attacking end. Just execute the same game plan they’ve had up to this point in limiting the quality chances for L.A. Don’t allow the crowd to get into it early and match the Kings intensity in every facet of the game.

2. Special Teams

It’s been a special teams series to date and the Sharks certainly held the edge in Game 4 converting on 3-of-4 opportunities while killing off both Kings power plays. San Jose wants to execute a similar game plan of being dangerous with the man advantage as they have yet to lose to L.A. when they’ve found the back of the net on the power play this season. With the lack of time and space at even strength, the special teams will be in the spotlight once again.

Next: Sharks Power Play Responds After Game 3 Performance

3. Do Whatever It Takes

The Sharks have been here before against this Kings team, and know that this game will be the hardest to win. San Jose needs to lay it all on the line tonight and act like they’re the ones on the brink of elimination. Team teal has a great opportunity to dispatch their rivals on their own ice which would be quite a way to enact a little semblance of revenge following the collapse in 2014.

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