San Jose Sharks ready to make the kill against Los Angeles Kings, game 5 – NHL Playoffs preview
San Jose Sharks are all set to eliminate Los Angeles Kings from the Western Conference quarter-finals when both teams meet up on Saturday for game five.
After a game two 4-0 loss against the Kings, the Sharks will return more satisfied than ever to San Jose to devour them on their own turf.
San Jose took control of the series on the road both at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California during game three and four to show their state rivals that the Sharks are not a force to be reckoned with.
On Saturday, they have a plan to execute the Kings and stay at home to take that extra rest advantage until the next round begins.
Los Angeles Kings
Most people were of the view after their two consecutive losses that their goalie Jonathan Quick should be replaced immediately if they want to save themselves from elimination.
Being their main goalie and just having one or two off days was not enough for changing the Coach’s mind about him being the starter.
“No change in goal. Absolutely not,” Coach Terry Murray said after Friday's practice. “Jonathan Quick’s our goaltender. He’s our No. 1 guy, period. Those goals that we’re seeing coming against us right now are a result of team play. Everybody is involved
in it. He has played good. In fact, in the first period, I thought they would not score a goal on him (in the game). He was that sharp, in my opinion.”
Murray did not rule out the chances of making a few changes on his offensive side, but on the defensive end, there would be no changing at all. Losing their top scorer Anze Kopitar has dramatically changed them as a team. Since his ankle injury, the Kings
have not remained the same offensively and their team chemistry has changed to the point that all forwards are trying to take his position but there is no output.
Had Kopitar been playing, the Sharks would have faced a much more fierce competition. Nevertheless, the Kings could have easily taken the series to advance into the Western Conference semi-finals.
San Jose Sharks
San Jose have been blessed with good luck recently. As the Kings defensive end is having problems of their own, the Sharks are there to take advantage of every second of the situation. Most people might believe that San Jose might have a soft corner for
the Kings entering game five, but one thing is for sure, when they see the bait, they will do anything to grab it.
“If we let up or take our foot off the gas pedal for any little bit it's going to cost us,” San Jose coach Todd McLellan said.
The Sharks have a well thought-out strategy which is really paying off for them. Twelve of their players have double points in these past four games, which shows their exemplary performance as a team.
San Jose do not have any injured players that are affecting their game-play. Unlike the Kings who are suffering to the limit without Kopitar, the Sharks have a wide variety of ready-to-play players at all times.
Ryan Clowe has outperformed everyone on the ice. He has had back-to-back double goal games and has really been the driving factor for his team’s consecutive victories. At the time when the Sharks were uncertain of who would perform in the postseason, Clowe
automatically picked up the pace.
With the greed of resting up for the second round, San Jose will give it their best to try and knockout the Kings on Saturday at the HP Pavilion Arena in game five.
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