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Preview: Game Day #82, Sharks @ Kings

San Jose Sharks @ Los Angeles Kings (Staples Center)

Time: 12:00 PM PST

TV: NBC

Enemy Reading: Fear the Fin

Lineups:

Los Angeles Kings

Gaborik–Kopitar–Williams
King–Carter–Toffoli
Brown–Stoll–Lewis
?–Weal–?

Muzzin–Doughty
Regehr–Martinez
McNabb–Greene

Quick
(Jones)

San Jose Sharks
Pavelski–Thornton–Karlsson
Marleau–Couture–Hertl
Nieto–Tierney–Wingels
Scott–Smith–Lerg

Dillon–Braun
Stollery–Burns
Irwin–Fedun

Niemi
Stalock


Unnecessary Standings Update (as of April 11, 2015)

Pacific Division Standings
Rank Team DIV GP W L OT P ROW
1 Anaheim P 81 50 24 7 107 42
2 Vancouver P 81 47 29 5 97 41
3 Calgary P 81 45 29 7 97 41
4 Los Angeles P 81
39 27 15 93
37
Wild Card Standings
Rank Team DIV GP W L OT P ROW
1 Minnesota C 81 46 27 8 100 41
2 Winnipeg C 81 42 26 13 97 35
3 Los Angeles P 81
39 27 15 93
37

(top three seeds in Pacific Division, top two seeds in Wild Card qualify for playoffs)

Game Notes:

  • The Kings can still end their season with a win, just like they did last year. And I’m sure it will be exactly the same.
  • The Sharks fanbase was really, really excited about LA’s elimination from the playoffs on Thursday.

  • THINGS YOU CAN STILL BE EXCITED ABOUT TODAY:
    • Jordan Weal has been called up for his NHL debut! He’ll be the first LA King and the 22nd NHL player ever to wear #60. Aside from Hart Trophy Winner Jose Theodore, #60 has primarily been worn by players who moved on to more conventional numbers later in their career.
    • Beating the Sharks is still fun!
    • Milestones? Jeff Carter needs two goals to crack 30 for the first time as a King. Trevor Lewis needs one to hit double digits for the first time. Kyle Clifford could match a career-high in goals, and Jordan Nolan could top his, if they play. So yeah, not a whole lot on the cards.
    • White Pants!
    • For the first time in quite a while, THE POINTS DON’T MATTER! So enjoy the relaxation instead of the disappointment! Giggle when Dustin Brown falls down! Give a knowing smile when Jarret Stoll takes an offensive zone penalty! Take pictures if Jonathan Quick breaks his stick in frustration!
  • Oh right, we also still hate these guys, right? Sort of in a pitying way, but yes, we do. Especially after those scenes on Thursday. (glares at Fear the Fin)
  • Across the league, both Pittsburgh and Boston have been put on the bubble by Ottawa’s insane run. That would take some attention off of, um, us.
  • Thanks for reading all season. PREDICTION: A lot of what ifs.

Talking Points