The Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks are used to see each other during the regular season, but have only met in the postseason once before. Now, both California teams are in the hunt for the Stanley Cup. The Kings are off to a slower start than last year, but they won four in a row against the St. Louis Blues to advance. The Sharks had a much easier path, sweep the Canucks to an early exit.
The Kings recorded 12 goals in their first round series win. Their front line combined for 10 points making the group one of the more effective units in the league. Their defense looked even better, holding the Blues to 10 goals in six games. Jonathan Quick has rallied from a slow start and is back playing some of his best hockey. He only allowed six goals in the final four games of the series, including making 30 saves in Game 3. If Quick can continue to act like one of the best goalies in the league, the Kings could make quick work of San Jose.
San Jose has a strong goalie of their own. Antti Niemi helped eliminate Vancouver, posting a 1.86 goals-against average in the first round. He is 29-19 in the playoffs, winning seven of nine series he has played in. The Sharks' stars lived up to their marquee names. Dan Boyle picked up four points in four games along with 11 shots on goal. Logan Couture had eight points and three goals while Joe Pavelski had four goals. If they continue to play tough taking numerous shots on goal, they might be the team that can get past the Kings and ruin their chances at repeating as champions.
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