The Los Angeles Kings are the defending Stanley Cup champions and after losing in Game 6 on Sunday the team will face off against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night in a winner take all Game 7 matchup to see who wins their second round playoffs series.
The Kings have been playing very well and despite losing 2-1 in Game 6, the team is ready to fight for the series in Game 7 after getting 24 saves from goalie Jonathan Quick in the previous matchup. Joe Thornton was the key for the Sharks in Game 6 after scoring an early power play goal and now the two teams will do the same thing as the Red Wings and Blackhawks on the other side, fighting out a Game 7 matchup. The Kings were the eight seed last year when they won and despite doing things fairly easy, this time will be a battle.
The Sharks have suffered a number of disappointments over the years in the postseason and while they have been sent home early many times, they feel that 2013 is their chance to make a finals run for the Stanley Cup. To do so this time they will need to defeat the defending champions on their home ice. One reason the Sharks have done so well is due to the play of Vezina finalist Antti Niemi, who had 24 saves to give the Sharks their third 2-1 win at home of the series.
The team is ready to fight to move on and after being outmuscled earlier in the series, the Sharks fought back to force a Game 7 matchup. The Kings have played better at home in the postseason and road teams are just 8-8 in Game 7 matchups after the home team has won the first six games. Dustin Brown was the lone goal for the Kings in the previous game and both Mike Richards and Jeff Carter are working on trying to step up for the final tilt and the team feels it still has confidence despite the loss.
Dan Boyle and Thornton have been excellent for the Sharks and the defense was unbeatable at the end of the game, as the Kings were able to get just one shot off over the last three minutes. Mike Richards is leading the Kings in points, while Carter has five goals and Thornton is tops in assist for the Sharks, while Logan Couture has 11 points and five goals to lead the team.
"We wanted this opportunity," said Joe Pavelski, who set up Thornton's goal. "We wanted to go play. We feel like we've played some good games there before. It's been a while since we've won, so we're due."
