Los Angeles Kings vs San Jose Sharks Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Preview

Los Angeles Kings vs San Jose Sharks Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Preview, Prediction, Team Comparison, X-Factors

Stanley Cup Playoffs continue on Thursday night at 10:30PM (EST) with the final match-up of the night featuring Los Angeles Kings vs San Jose Sharks. The 2nd/3rd ranked teams in the Pacific Division meet in a series that may easily go the distance (seven games).

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On one side, the Los Angeles Kings seek their third Stanley Cup Championship in five years, while on the other, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau make what could be their last attempt to win a Cup ring together in San Jose.

Injury Report (IR – Injured Reserve, DTD – Day-to-Day)

Alec Martinez LA (DTD) – He is out with an undisclosed injury. Alec resumed practicing on Tuesday, although his status for Thursday is still unknown.

Marian Gaborik LA (IR) – Gaborik has resumed skating after a knee injury, but hasn’t been cleared for contact. He should be available in round two if LA manages to defeat the Sharks.

Jordan Nolan LA (IR) – Out indefinitely, Nolan was placed on the IR back in February after playing 52 games.

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Los Angeles Kings vs San Jose Sharks: Team Comparison

Goaltending:

Jonathan Quick/Jhonas Enroth vs. Martin Jones/James Reimer

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When spring comes around, is there any other goaltender you’d prefer to have other than Jonathan Quick? This elite netminder will give the Kings an opportunity to win almost every night, and has the ability to steal games. Barring an injury (knock on wood), the Kings are in great shape.

At the other end is a pair of quality netminders that have excelled in 2015-16. Martin Jones had a Vezina-quality season – even with his stumbles down the stretch. Reimer came over from Toronto after putting up career-best numbers, and has been unstoppable since joining the Sharks. San Jose has something they’ve never had in the playoffs, a quality second option if one guy falters.

Advantage: Los Angeles Kings

Two time Cup-winner Jonathan Quick has proven himself in the postseason. If the Kings have any hope of making a deep run, they’ll need their elite netminder to be their best player.

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Defense:

The Kings defensive strength is in their top four, Drew Doughty, Jake Muzzin, Alec Martinez, and Brayden McNabb. Shutting down the Sharks top-six can be a major difference maker in this series. The rest, Luke Schenn, Rob Scuderi, and Jamie McBain are average defenders at best. That third pairing may be the Kings Achilles heal (if anything).

San Jose’s defense quietly did a nice job during the regular season with an overall mediocre group. With the added trade deadline acquisition of Roman Polak, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic expected to return to action for game one, San Jose is well equipped to handle a weak Kings offense that is without one of their snipers, Marian Gaborik.

Also sidelined is Jordan Nolan, who was an essential role player in recent Cup wins. They are also without players such as Justin Williams (Mr.Game 7) and Jarret Stoll, plus a captain who is on the decline.

Advantage: San Jose Sharks

Even though Los Angeles owns a more talented defense core, San Jose has a distinct advantage in the match-up game.

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Offense:

Anze Kopitar and Milan Lucic will need to find a way to control the play and win the possession game. Sharks defensemen Brent Burns spent the majority of his season in the offensive zone – the Kings top line cannot allow this to happen.

The true difference makers for Los Angeles in this series can be Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli. In a series that screams one-goal games, you need players who can find the back of the net with regularity.

San Jose has four lines that can score. Their top six ranks among the top of the league in terms of skill. There’s also a ton of talent within the supporting cast, names such as Joonas Donskoi, Chris Tierney, Melker Karlsson, and Tommy Wingels. Kings defenders cannot afford to take a shift off against this dangerous group of forwards.

Advantage: San Jose Sharks

The Sharks made a few changes to their forward group this season, most notably the addition of Joel Ward, who was brought in for this time of year exactly. This is arguably the deepest offensive group San Jose has ever had to open the first round.

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Los Angeles Kings vs San Jose Sharks: X-Factors

Vincent Lecavalier/Kris Versteeg LA – These two guys were brought in to help LA win its third Stanley Cup in five years. They’ll need secondary scoring from both if they hope to defeat San Jose.

Dustin Brown LA – He’s taken a lot of criticism over the past two seasons, and rightfully so. His play regressed to that of a bottom six forward. Those Kings winners of old included their captain among the leader in points. He also led by example on the ice with his physical, agitating play, which luckily hasn’t disappeared. Unfortunately, 11 goals and 28 points in 82 games isn’t good enough for Dustin Brown.

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Logan Couture SJ – It was largely a down year for Couture, who dealt with numerous injuries. He finished the year with 36 points in 52 games. We know he can be the Sharks most productive player, and he may need to be in 2016 to help get San Jose over the hump.

Joonas Donskoi SJ – While most Calder candidates enjoyed a top six-role, this Sharks rookie was relegated to a mere 14:09 average ice-time per game. He put up 11 goals, 25 assists (36 points) in 2015-16. Donskoi is a talented two-way forward who continues to get stronger on both sides of the puck with NHL experience.

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Prediction:

San Jose Sharks Win Series 4-3