At long last, the NHL season starts today. Four games are on the docket, two in Canada and two in the United States. And just like last year, and the year before, the Kings and Sharks will provide the nightcap. This time it’s in San Jose, though, because the Sharks decided to go out and win the Western Conference. I guess they earned it.
Here’s how to watch tonight’s game.
Time: 7:30 PM Pacific
Where: SAP Center, San Jose, CA
Live Stream: via NBC Sports
TV: NBC Sports Network
Radio: KABC AM 790
Note that the game will be preceded by the raising of San Jose’s Western Conference Champions banner, which should provide some solace to those still reeling from the elimination of the San Francisco Giants yesterday. On television, the game will be preceded by the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues, so between the two of those, expect puck drop to be at 7:45 or later. Sorry, East Coasters.
Full preview coming, but for now, here are LA’s lines from the last two days of practice, via Jon Rosen.
Devin Setoguchi – Anze Kopitar – Dustin Brown
Teddy Purcell – Jeff Carter – Tyler Toffoli
Dwight King – Nick Shore – Trevor Lewis
Kyle Clifford – Andy Andreoff – Jordan Nolan
(Nick Shore has been cleared to practice and might swap in on the third line if healthy) [UPDATE: HE WILL.]
(Tanner Pearson is serving the first game of a two-game suspension)
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Brayden McNabb – Alec Martinez
Derek Forbort – Matt Greene
(Tom Gilbert could swap in for either Forbort or Greene)
[UPDATE: HE WON’T.]
Jonathan Quick
(Jeff Zatkoff is backing up)
Excited? Us too.