The San Jose Sharks are in need of a win. They have lost the first two games of their second round series against the Los Angeles Kings and are in hopes that a return to home ice will bring them some luck.
In the span of 22 seconds in Game 2, the Kings knocked in a pair of power-play goals, ending the Sharks hopes of tying the series up at one a piece. Instead, they are in a two game hole and looking for answers of how to stop the surging Kings. The Sharks are banking on the fact that in Game 2 they were able to score three goals on Jonathan Quick, outplaying the goalie for much of the game. The home-ice advantage for the next two games could prove fruitful for the Sharks.
The Sharks have only lost twice in regulation play during the regular season while at home so the next two games will be crucial for their playoff chances. The team's biggest concern is their lack of conversion on the power play. They are 0-7 on power-play opportunities.
The Kings on the other hand have found their stride after dropping the first two games to the St. Louis Blues in the first round. They became just the third team since 1988 to win a playoff game in regulation when losing before the final two minutes. The Kings cannot always count on late-game heroics to pull them through in this playoff run.
Los Angeles knows what it is like to win games after having a 2-0 lead in the series. Last season, the won the first three games in all four rounds before eventually winning the Stanley Cup. Things looked shaky when they started this year's playoffs, but they answered two straight losses with four straight wins and then two more against the Sharks. They are certainly one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference.
Watch the Los Angeles Kins vs. the San Jose Sharks live stream, click here.
