The second-seeded San Jose Sharks will host Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals tonight, Thursday April 14th, when they welcome the Pacific Division rival Los Angeles Kings to the HP Pavilion. The Sharks have split their last ten meetings with the Kings. NHL oddsmakers have the Sharks as -220 moneyline favourites over the Kings (+170) with the over/under set at 5 goals. Be sure to check the Kings vs Sharks NHL Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
Los Angeles (21-17-3 V) makes their playoff run winning six of their last ten games, but losing three of their last five road games. The Kings were able to make a second straight trip to the postseason thanks to a system that slanted towards the defensive side of things. Defense was the name of the game for the Kings, who were tied for fifth in fewest goals allowed with 198 while also ranking fourth on the penalty kill at 85.5 percent. Led by goaltender Jonathan Quick and an excellent defensive duo in Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson, Los Angeles wore its opponents down, often for longer than 60 minutes. The Kings lost just six games beyond regulation, with Quick going a perfect 10-0 in shootouts this season. Already reliant on the back end, the Kings struggled up front after losing both Justin Williams and Anze Kopitar to injury in late March. Williams went down with a dislocated right shoulder on March 21, while Kopitar was injured five days later and underwent right ankle surgery that will sideline him until next season. Without Kopitar, and Williams unlikely to be at 100 percent, pressure will fall to captain Dustin Brown, veteran Ryan Smyth and winger Dustin Penner. Goalie Jonathan Quick will be in the spotlight after going 35-22-3 in 61 games this season, posting a solid 2.24 GAA and .918 save percentage with six shutouts. He won't be able to thrive in the shootout now, so he'll need to hold onto the leads he is given.
San Jose (25-11-5 H) has won seven of their last ten games and winners of five straight at home. It is no secret that the Sharks can score. They were sixth in the league with 248 tallies and had six players reach the 20-goal mark. Forward Patrick Marleau led the way with 37, giving him at least 32 in three straight and five of his past six seasons. While Marleau's production, which also included a team-best 73 points, didn't surprise many, center Logan Couture certainly turned heads with a club rookie- record 32 goals. Along with Ryane Clowe (24 goals, 38 assists), Devin Setoguchi (22g, 19a) and Joe Pavelski (20g, 46a), the 22-year-old gave San Jose secondary scoring outside of the top trio of Marleau, Dany Heatley and Joe Thornton. Goalie Antti Niemi finished with 60 starts and went 35-18-6 with a 2.38 goals- against average and .920 save percentage, signing a four-year extension before season's end. Despite being in just his second year, Niemi is already playoff tested, going 16-6 with a 2.63 GAA in last year's postseason. San Jose's blue line is anchored by Dan Boyle, whose 66 career playoff games trails only Marleau (106) and Thornton (91) on the roster. The veteran turned in another solid season, notching 41 assists and 50 points.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in San Jose.
Favorite is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
Kings are 17-36-1 in the last 54 meetings.
Kings are 8-19 in the last 27 meetings in San Jose.
Sharks are 4-0 in their last 4 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Sharks are 7-0 in their last 7 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
Sharks are 7-0 in their last 7 games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Kings vs Sharks
When: Thursday, April 14, 10:00 PM ET
Pick: Sharks -220
Point-Spreads.com recommends you check out NHL Point Spreads before Kings vs Sharks game.
The Bottom Line: The Sharks will be too much for the Kings to handle, until they get to LA. Be sure to check Kings vs Sharks Hockey Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
