The Kings will try to carry the momentum in their Western Conference quarterfinal series back to Los Angeles when they host the San Jose Sharks in Game 3 tonight at the Staples Center. The Kings and Sharks have split the best of seven series at one apiece, but the Kings have won three of their last five meetings. NHL oddsmakers have the Sharks as -120 moneyline road favourites over the Kings (+100) with the over/under set at 5 goals. Be sure to check the Sharks vs Kings NHL Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
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an Jose (1-1) got shutout 0-4 in game 2 after winning game 1, 3-2 in overtime. Antti Niemi made just 19 saves for the Sharks, who were shut out for the first time since a 1-0 setback to Anaheim on Jan. 9. San Jose failed to score on five power-play opportunities in the Game 2 setback and is 0-for-7 on the man advantage for the series. "If we don't have anger or a bit of shame … I would be extremely disappointed," Sharks head coach Todd McLellan said of his team's attitude following Game 2. Ian White missed Game 2 and is questionable for tonight's game with a head injury. Rookie Justin Braun skated in White's place on Saturday and logged over 15 minutes of ice time. These division rivals split six regular season games this year, but the Sharks held the points edge over LA with a 3-1-2 mark and posted a 6-1 home victory in the final meeting on April 4.
Los Angeles (1-1) now has a chance to take control of the best-of- seven series with Games 3 and 4 being played in southern California. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty had a terrific offensive performance in Game 2, scoring twice and assisting on the Kings other two goals. It was the second four-point game in eight career playoff tilts for the 21-year-old Doughty. Jack Johnson and Kyle Clifford each added a goal and an assist in Saturday's win. Goalie Jonathan Quick was perfect between the pipes for LA on Saturday, as he anchored the Kings to the shutout victory with 34 saves. So far, Quick has stopped 76-of-79 shots in the series after a 42-save effort in the Game 1 loss. "I got a lot of help from the 20 guys in the locker room," a humble Quick said after notching the first postseason shutout of his career. LA was 25-13-3 as the home team in 2010-11 and won five of its last six at the Staples Center to end the regular season. The Kings will get forward Jarret Stoll back this evening after he served a one-game suspension. Stoll, who had 20 goals and 23 assists in 82 games for LA this year, received the ban for a hit from behind on San Jose defenseman Ian White in Game 1.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Home team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Sharks are 16-7 in the last 23 meetings in Los Angeles.
Sharks are 35-17-1 in the last 53 meetings.
Sharks are 5-0 in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.
Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Kings are 5-0 in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.
Kings are 5-1 in their last 6 home games.
Kings are 13-3 in their last 16 Tuesday games.
Sharks vs Kings
When: Tuesday, April 15, 10:30 PM ET
Pick: Sharks -120
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The Bottom Line: The Sharks should get the win, but the Kings will receive a boost from their home crowd. Be sure to check Sharks vs Kings Hockey Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
