2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs Viewing Guide: LA Kings vs San Jose Sharks

A few weeks ago, Kings and Sharks fans thought we were all on the same page in wanting the Sharks to win the Pacific Division. Instead of taking the opportunity to get it done for the better parts of California, they doomed everyone to a Kings-Sharks first round series. Well, game one is today, and what better way to represent it than with a hockey plus “The Amazing Spider-man 2” mashup ad?

 
Alright, fine, I really just think we’ve all failed to laugh about that clip an appropriate amount. Here’s your real series viewing helper:

This marks the third time the LA Kings will have faced the San Jose Sharks in the postseason since the LA franchise returned to the playoffs. The Sharks knocked the Kings out in the 2011 quarterfinals, topped off by Sharks captain Joe Thornton scoring the overtime series winner in game six and turtle-sliding across Staples Center ice.

 
In 2013, while defending their Stanley Cup title, the Kings eliminated the Sharks in a seven-game home-and-home series. Justin Williams lived up to his “Mr. Game Seven” reputation and scored two goals.

 
These two pictures of Jonathan Quick sum up both series well.

After the OT goal against to end the 2011 series.

After regulation ends with the Kings up 2-1 to end the 2013 series.

Both were brutal series. One had a happy ending for Los Angeles. Now the Kings are hoping to take a lead in the playoff rivalry.

Rookie forward Tomas Hertl was injured in a knee-on-knee collision with Kings captain Dustin Brown during the December 19 game at Staples Center.

 
Brown was given a major penalty, a game misconduct, and ejected. Hertl was out of the Sharks lineup and spent time recovering until just before the end of the regular season. The Sharks franchise and fanbase have had their dander up about Brown since the incident.

In December, Sharks GM Doug Wilson scolded Dustin Brown for showing a “lack of concern” for Tomas Hertl by not immediately calling to apologize. (Never mind that Sharks’ defenseman Brad Stuart gave Rick Nash a concussion a couple months earlier and didn’t call to beg for Nash’s forgiveness.) Now that the first round of the playoffs are here, San Jose beat reporters can’t think of any interesting questions to ask Sharks players, so prompting them for quotes about avenging Hertl’s murder are the cool, hot thing, even though Hertl’s alive.

Vlasic: “In order to get revenge, you win the series. That’s the way you get revenge for what happened to Hertl.” #sjsharks #lakings

— Brodie Brazil (@brodiebrazilCSN) April 14, 2014

To be fair, Brown has a history with incidents like this. Most notably, there was him cleaning out Michal Rozsival during the 2012 playoffs in a hit that initially looked like knee-on-knee but was eventually deemed thigh-on-thigh. In 2013, Brown leaned into his knee while also sticking out his elbow to hit St. Louis Blues player Jaden Schwartz.

Yeah. That one’s bad, buddy. Double plus ungood.

So, know that the revenge theme’s going to color the entire series for Sharks fans. People hate Brown and everybody loves Hertl. If the Sharks win the series, their fans are going to crow from mountaintops about avenging a smiling baby saint or whatever.

Anze Kopitar had a great regular season and matches up against top competition well, including the Sharks. He’s the Kings’ strongest defensive forward, able to skate 200 feet from the defensive end to the offensive zone with control of the puck while under pressure. Just last Saturday, Kopitar dazzled the Anaheim Ducks first-line center Ryan Getzlaf on a beautiful tying goal that forced the game to overtime.

Jewels From the Crown recently published an excellent look at how well the Kings generate scoring chances against the Sharks. While the Sharks fair better at creating scoring chances overall, Kopitar is one of Kings’ most consistent producers, not only entering the zone with control more often than not but generating scoring chances at least half the time.

Possession is also a key strength for the Kings, but since Kopitar is the most effective Kings possession player, we figured he’s representative of that, too.

Joe Thornton is one of the most formidable centers in the NHL right now. While Kopitar can hold his own against him, Thornton tends to give Mike Richards fits on the ice, and the Sharks generally have this figured out. Even when Richards was mostly on his game last season, Thornton gave him trouble, and it’s been noted a whole bunch that 2013-14 hasn’t been a very good year for Richards. If the Kings manage to keep the Kopitar and Thornton lines matched up, things look less troublesome. However, if that Thornton line manages significant ice time against the Kings’ King-Richards-Carter second line, difficulties will likely follow.

Another potential weakness is the Kings’ penchant for taking penalties this season. San Jose’s power play is ranked 20th in the league for the regular season, but the Kings still put themselves at a disadvantage if they spend a lot of time shorthanded. The Kings’ .936 team save percentage at even-strength is second only to the Boston Bruins, but they fall to 14th, putting up a .879 save percentage when shorthanded.

Jewels from the Crown – Kings Sharks Playoff Preview: Matchups and Possession
San Jose Mercury News – Sharks and Kings not the friendliest rivalry
SB Nation – Sharks vs. Kings will be one for the ages
NHL.com – Goaltending Matchup: Inside Quick vs Niemi
Fear the Fin – 2014 Western Conference Quarterfinals: San Jose vs Los Angeles

BONUS AUDIO

All The Kings Men Podcast – Pacific Playoff Preview

No big deal, but we participated in that Kings Men podcast recording. Give it a listen if you haven’t already.

Lastly, for any fans stuck watching at home, there’s another good reason to stay tuned into the games.

(Click for full-size)

Now you’re all set to keep pace with what’s bound to be the toughest, most interesting playoff series of the entire first round. Get your drinks and snacks ready, and beware of flying knees.