Sharks vs. Kings Final Score: Los Angeles Takes 1-0 Series Lead with Game 1 Win
By Josh Hill
The San Jose Sharks were the only team in the postseason to muster up a series sweep so far, but the Los Angeles Kings put an end to the notion it could happen twice when they shut out the Sharks in Game 1 of their semifinal series on Tuesday. It was predicted that the series would come down to whoever’s netminder was able to withstand the offensive attacks and so far Jonathan Quick is on top.
It’s not surprising that Quick came out on top, not only because he’s the best netminder in hockey but the Kings are coming off a hot series against the Blues. Things started slow for the Kings last round but they kicked it into gear and have been playing at a high level since the middle of that series. So while we expected some adjustments might need to be made, the Kings came out and conducted business as usual on Tuesday night.
As for the Shark, Antti Niemi needs to be better and the Sharks offense needs to start producing at the level it was against the Vancouver Canucks last round. However, it wasn’t like Game 1 was mailed in by San Jose as they haven’t played in roughly a week and rust was expected. But that’s a single game excuse and if we see similar struggles in Game 2, it might be more about the Sharks being outmatched rather than rusty after resting for so long.
Either way, the series represents so much more than a regular playoff semifinal showdown. Both Joe Thornton and Dustin Brown agree that no matter who wins and advances in the series, the games are insanely meaningful to California hockey and pushing it’s popularity and importance. We’re coming off a season where a team from Los Angeles hoisted the Cup and we’re guaranteed to see a California team in the Conference Finals for a fourth straight year which is a massive achievement.
Not since the Red Wings and Blackhawks Conference Finals meeting in 2009 has the Western Conference not seen a team from California in the big game and if the Sharks make it, it’ll mark the third time in four years they’ve been a game away from the Stanley Cup.
But before they even think about that, work needs to be done as the Kings are a game up on the Sharks right now and it won’t take much for them to get on a roll and finish the Sharks if they catch them napping.