Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks Game Four Preview

Apr 22, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter reacts during game three of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the San Jose Sharks at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Well, it’s do or die time for the Los Angeles Kings. They come into tonight’s game against the San Jose Sharks down 3-0 in the series and are in danger of not only being eliminated from the playoffs in the first round, but also could get swept on home ice.

The Kings fell into a three-game hole after they lost to the Sharks in overtime of game three, a game that was full of unfortunate bounces for the Kings. It all came down to another lucky bounce off of Slava Voynov’s stick after Patrick Marleau picked up a turn over in the corner and let a backhander go. The puck deflected off of Voynov’s stick and fluttered up and over Jonathan Quick’s arm, pushing the Kings’ backs against the wall.

Now the Kings are in a situation where they have to win four in a row in order to advance to the next round. But they have to take it one game at a time.

Two players that now what it takes to get back into a series and force a game seven after being down 3-0 are Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. Both were apart of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 when the team won four straight games after going down 3-0 in the series to the Boston Bruins.

Few things are certain in the game of hockey and counting a team out could be its own downfall. If the Sharks are already looking towards the next round they could stumble and make this harder on themselves and give the Kings hope.

Will the Sharks close out the series tonight on enemy ice? Or will the Kings inch their way back into the series? Both of those answers will be answered tonight.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time.