They’ve been rivals since the Sharks joined the NHL in 1991 but only in the past few seasons has this love-hate relationship intensified. Tonight, it picks up another level as the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks meet in arguably their biggest playoff matchup to date.

While they met two springs ago, the series matchup was an opening-round matchup and in addition, a lot has changed since 2011.

Since then, the Sharks have parted ways with the likes of Devin Setoguchi, Dany Heatley, Douglas Murray and Ryane Clowe while welcoming Brent Burns and Martin Havlat into the fold. Youngsters like Tommy Wingels have since entered the picture while Logan Couture has since being a household name at HP Pavilion.

Apr 27, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle (22) chases after the puck with Los Angeles Kings left wing Kyle Clifford (13) during the game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Kings, though, have also gone through some changes. In 2011, Terry Murray was behind the bench while now it’s Darryl Sutter who once coached the Sharks to six seasons where they gradually improved points-wise in each of those years. The Kings have also added significant pieces to their club including Mike Richards and Jeff Carter while Jonathan Quick has since become better (not that he wasn’t before) and there is the matter that since 2011, Los Angeles has accomplished what the Sharks have so desperately tried to covet lo the last decade: the Stanley Cup.

As far as both the Kings and Sharks are concerned, the past is irrelevant. Tonight begins a new chapter in the rivalry between NoCal and SoCal.

Of their four meetings this season, three of those were decided by one goal with one of the Kings two losses coming in the shootout so it’s safe to say that the Kings and their fans are happy not having to deal with that in the playoffs.

Justin Williams, who has had a knack for elevating his game in the postseason, has found his name on the scoresheet each time he faced San Jose this season. In the four meetings, the 31-year-old has scored two goals and added four assists.

In goal, it’s been similar. While Jonathan Quick was pulled en route to his team’s first loss to the Sharks this season, the Conn Smythe winner has been much better since that game in mid-March. Antti Niemi, however, seems to save his best for the silver-and-black and will need to be solved enough times should the Kings hope to advance to the round of four.

In terms of series predictions, experts are going both ways in determining which team will come out victorious but enough of the prediction. Tonight is when we see what the Sharks and Kings have in store for each other as they take this hostile rivalry to a new level.

The action starts at Staples Center tonight at 7pm PST (10pm EST). Are you ready?

Enjoy the game!

LOS ANGELES – Despite having playoff implications for tonight’s game, the regular season finale didn’t stir up as much excitement as one would think. In fact, the Staples Center faithful was quieter than usual. Of course in their defense, the Los Angeles Kings and their fans just wanted to get the regular season over with so they could rightfully begin defense of their Stanley Cup crown regardless who they played. Of course, the San Jose Sharksare also quite eager to get the postseason underway themselves.

Apr 27, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31) makes a save against Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) during the game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The opening period was a very even affair. While neither team was able to score, both teams registered eight shots each in the first 20 minutes. In the second, the Kings wasted no time getting to work as Kyle Clifford opened the scoring just 48 seconds into the frame. After a shot by Anze Kopitar bewildered Sharks netminder Antti Niemi, the puck dangled in the air before falling in the crease where the Big Red Dog was quick to bat it in. The goal livened up Staples Center. However, just like that, the energy was sucked out again.

Just 49 seconds, San Jose’s Logan Couture found his way past three Kings defenders and shot it under Jonathan Quick to tie the game. The goal was Couture’s 21st of the season. But just four minutes later, the Kings were determined to regain their lead and they did as Slava Voynov slapped a point shot that found its way through past Niemi to put Los Angeles back out in front.

After San Jose’s Andrew Desjardins was called off at 5:31 of the third for the game’s only penalty, both teams returned to even strength and with exactly eight minutes to go in the third, Justin Williams took a nice behind-the-net feed from Brad Richardson to pot his 11th into the back of the net to give the Kings some insurance.

The Sharks, though, failed to go down without a fight and TJ Galiardi wristed his fifth past Quick with only 2:27 to go to pull his team to within a goal. It got interesting in the waning minutes but that was all the offense the Sharks could muster as the Kings hang on for the 3-2 win, finishing the abbreviated season fifth in the West, second in the Pacific and with an overall record of 27-16-5 which includes a third-best home record of 19-4-1.

While Justin Williams had a goal and an assist, Brad Richardson had a slightly more impressive night with two assists and a team-best +2 rating tonight. Jonathan Quick was also good when he had to be, stopping 23 of 25 shots he faced. Not bad for a final tune-up before the playoffs. But if tonight’s result is any indication, they are entering the playoffs with just the right amount of momentum – and will prepare to take on the St. Louis Blues.

Earlier this evening, the Blues were hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Having lead both the Kings and Sharks by a point in the standings, St. Louis just needed a win to clinch the West’s 4th-seed and after defeating Chicago 3-1, they did just that. So, entering tonight’s contest as Staples Center, the math was simple: the winner would face fourth-seeded St. Louis and the loser would face the third-seeded Vancouver Canucks. The Kings win means a trip to the Gateway City while the Sharks will travel north to take on the Canucks.

It was a drama-filled fall where fans everywhere wondered about (and even doubted) the possibility of an NHL season in 2013. The season was salvaged, 48-game schedules were put together and now the regular season is over with the playoffs set to start in just a few days.

For the Los Angeles KIngs, their championship defense begins on either Tuesday or Wednesday – and they will be entering the big dance not longer as the hunter but as the hunted. It should be exciting.