NHL Playoffs 2013: Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks Series Preview

The second round of the NHL Playoffs are finally upon us, which means it’s time to look ahead to what the conference semifinal round hold. From the best team in hockey down to those who limped into hockey’s Eight Eight, this year’s semifinal field is loaded with teams itching to see their championship dreams realized. All the action kicks off May 14th, so let’s take a look at what’s in store for the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings.

Series Schedule: 

	TIME (ET)	#5  VS.  #6	NETWORKS
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013	10 P.M.	SAN JOSE AT LOS ANGELES	NBCSN, TSN
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013	10 P.M.	SAN JOSE AT LOS ANGELES	NBCSN, TSN
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2013	9 P.M.	LOS ANGELES AT SAN JOSE	NBCSN, TSN
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013	10 P.M.	LOS ANGELES AT SAN JOSE	NBCSN, TSN
*THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013	10:30 P.M.	SAN JOSE AT LOS ANGELES	NBCSN, TSN
*SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2013	TBD	LOS ANGELES AT SAN JOSE	TSN
*TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013	TBD	SAN JOSE AT LOS ANGELES	TSN

Los Angeles Kings: 

Not many people gave the Kings that great of a chance against the sleeper St. Louis Blues in the first round, but despite a slow start Los Angeles is still in the running to defend their Stanley Cup crown. If there’s one thing the NHL Playoffs have shown us over the last couple of years, it’s that netminder Jonathan Quick comes to play in the postseason. The Kings offense is something to be worried about but if the Sharks struggle to score goals it will be because Jonathan Quick is carry the team on his back once again. But it’s the aforementioned offense that might do the Kings in as they weren’t what you’d call explosive against the Blues and found themselves in some serious scraps last round. That can’t continue as the Sharks have a great goalie who won’t tolerate being on the wrong end of close games and neither will his offense.

San Jose Sharks:

Antti Niemi boosted the Sharks in their first-round sweep of the Canucks but don’t overlook the input from the offense of the Sharks. Sure, they got into some close games but they were able to come out on top in four consecutive games. And while you shouldn’t ignore the offense, do not sleep on this stout Sharks defense that held down two of the best lines in hockey and rendered the Sedin brothers useless in the last round. It’s this kind of mentality of taking playmakers out of the game that allowed the Sharks to breeze past the Canucks and the Kings have far fewer playmaking stars to stop. It will all come down to if the Sharks can get past the pads and glove of Jonathan Quick, which is a lot easier sad than even imagined, let alone done.

Bottom Line: 

This is a series that will come down to netminding. Both Quick and Niemi are the top two netminders in the Western Conference and have established themselves as game changers based on their first-round performances. The Kings need to boost their offensive production as currently they were outscored by the Sharks 12-11 in first round goals. They also didn’t start the series fast, sinking into a 0-2 hole before storming back. But we could see a ‘rust factor’ play in here as the Kings are coming off a six game grind of a series while the Sharks haven’t played hockey since May 7th. It’s going to be a low scoring series and whoever gets hot on offense will take this series, but don’t expect it to be a 4 game sweep.

Sharks win series 4-3