First-Round Matchup Set: Kings to Take On San Jose Sharks
For the third time in four years, LA will face off against San Jose in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Last night, the Anaheim Ducks beat the San Jose Sharks 5-2 on home ice. The victory clinched a second consecutive Pacific Division title for the Ducks, meaning... it's these guys again. The Los Angeles Kings, once again, have their work cut out for them.
It's a matchup that every neutral hockey fan is salivating over, but every Kings or Sharks fan is dreading. Need a reminder of why that is? Catch up on the teams' five matchups this season to remember why this series is probably going to be a slugfest.
October 30: Los Angeles 4, San Jose 3 (OT)
LA scores the game-tying goals and game-winning goals on the power play, handing San Jose only their third loss in 13 games. Anze Kopitar gets the winner in overtime. [Recap]
November 27: San Jose 3, Los Angeles 2 (SO)
After 151 attempted shots, 80 shots on goal, 42 scoring chances, and eight shootout rounds, a Joe Thornton shootout goal was the difference in perhaps the most entertaining game of the season. It was LA's eleventh straight game with a point. [Recap]
December 19: Los Angeles 4, San Jose 1
The only one-sided game the two teams have played this year went the Kings' way. Martin Jones moved to 7-0-0 with the win, Dwight King made the prettiest pass of his life, and Alec Martinez and Tyler Toffoli scored goals. No one remembers any of this, though, because something happened between Dustin Brown and Tomas Hertl. [Recap]
January 27: Los Angeles 1, San Jose 0
The only road win in a rivalry which has been dominated by the home teams lately. After an embarrassing loss at Dodger Stadium, the Kings still didn't get much offense, but Jonathan Quick outdueled Alex Stalock... barely. [Recap]
April 3: San Jose 2, Los Angeles
The Sharks tried to send a message by hitting everything that moved. The Kings didn't seem to care too much. Nonetheless, San Jose got their 2-1 win and locked up home-ice advantage in the first round, while Drew Doughty sustained an injury. [Recap]
We'll be previewing the series in much greater detail before the playoffs kick off; we expect Game 1 will be this coming Wednesday. For now, let's start talking about a matchup that we all knew had to happen.
Comments ()