Los Angeles Kings Host San Jose Sharks Saturday After the Holiday
The NHL has been on a 3-day holiday break. In the Kings first game back they will host the San Jose Sharks at Staples Center. Puck-drop is at 7:00 p.m. tonight.
The Kings were riding a two game winning streak before falling to the Calgary Flames in overtime on Monday. The Kings were up by three goals, then gave up a natural hat-trick to Johnny Gaudreau and the overtime game-winner to Mark Giordano.
The last few games L.A. has flipped the script: the Kings don’t have a problem scoring early, but they can’t hang on at the end.
L.A. currently sits in 4th place in the Pacific Division, and 8th in the Western Conference with 41 points. The Kings are 2 points ahead of the Flames, and 2 points behind the Sharks.
The Sharks have jumped up to 2nd in the Pacific Division with 43 points. Despite their standings in the division the Sharks are tied for 6th in the Western Conference. The Central division has been catching up to the power-house Pacific, as the top three teams in the Central rank 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the West.
San Jose is coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the other big California hockey team, the Anaheim Ducks.
A San Jose – L.A. matchup is always explosive, and with the tight-race in the among division opponents
The Kings lines are projected as follows:
Forwards:
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Puck Prose
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Jeff Carter
Dustin Brown – Jarret Stoll – Justin Williams
Tanner Pearson – Mike Richards – Tyler Toffoli
Kyle Clifford – Trevor Lewis – Dwight King
Defensemen:
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Alec Martinez – Matt Greene
Brayden McNabb – Jamie McBain
Goalies:
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones
Jonathan Quick will start tonight. Quick was the focal point of the Kings break down against the Flames. Quick still has great numbers posting a .921 save percentage, and a 2.35 goals against average.
Marian Gaborik has been on fired the last 5 games scoring at least a goal per game. Gaborik has more goal and points in his last five games than he had in the time spanning from October 8th, the start of the season, to December 12th. In his last 5 Gaborik has 7 goals and 9 points.
Gaborik and Anze Kopitar need to get going if the Kings are going to be victorious in tonight’s battle.
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Oil On Whyte
Sharks players to keep an eye on:
Logan Couture has 13 goals and 29 points in 35 games. The Sharks young star center isn’t tearing up the charts like everyone expected, despite being second on the Sharks in goals. Couture has a dangerous snap-shot, and he loves to shoot from all over though his primary spot is the high slot. The Kings have to pay attention; Couture, like a prototypical shark is always circling the net.
Defensemen Brent Burns is fifth on the Sharks in points with 27 in 35 games. Burns is also third on the team in goals with 10. Burns is a physical defensemen that has spent time playing as a forward in the NHL. Burns is comfortable jumping up on the play and can make inconceivable cross-ice passes that cause trouble for defending opponents.
Enjoy the game it’s one of the best matchup’s in the NHL. Look for it to be close with tight play, and the Kings to hold down home-ice. RinkRoyalty’s prediction is 4-2 L.A. victory, with an empty net goal at the end of the game.
We’ll see tonight when everything starts tonight. Puck-drop is 7:00 p.m. PST.
Go Kings Go!
Oct 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) attempts a shot at goal on Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) defended by Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Greene (2) during the first period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports