Preview: Los Angeles Kings at San Jose Sharks
When: 10:30 PM ET, Saturday, April 7, 2012
Where: HP Pavillion at San Jose, San Jose, California
Sharks Vs Kings Tickets have sold out for this huge game.
THE STORY: The final game of the NHL‘s regular season will determine the complexion of the Western Conference postseason picture. The San Jose Sharks entertain Los Angeles on Saturday night in a contest that could see either team capture the Pacific Division title. The winning team will wind up with 96 points, which will be good enough for the division crown if the Phoenix Coyotes lose in Minnesota. The losing team is assured an eighth-place finish.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network, KCOP
ABOUT THE KINGS (40-27-14): Los Angeles squandered a chance to gain the upper hand on their geographical rivals in the opener of their home-and-home series, dropping a controversial 6-5 shootout decision Thursday night. The Kings were incensed when Sharks forward Ryane Clowe interfered with the play while on the bench, poking his stick out to break up a play in the neutral zone. The officials didn’t see the play, and no penalty was called.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (42-29-10): Clowe’s bizarre move – one he claims he doesn’t remember doing – has overshadowed what has been a solid stretch of hockey for the 29-year-old Newfoundland native. Clowe had a down year – recording 20 fewer points than a season ago – but has scored four goals over his last six games while remaining as truculent as ever. San Jose is seeking a fifth straight division crown.
OVERTIME:
1. San Jose owns a 3-2 edge in the season series, with two of those wins coming in a shootout.
2. The Sharks have won 22 of their last 32 home encounters with the Kings.
3. The Kings’ last division championship came in 1990-91, when the club played in the Smythe Division.
PREDICTION: Sharks 4, Kings 3.
