Sharks vs. Kings Finals Score: San Jose Forces Game 7 with 2-1 Win Over Los Angeles
By Josh Hill
The San Jose Sharks were fighting for their playoff lives on Sunday night, but it’s a fight that will continue on Tuesday as the Sharks defended home ice and beat a Game 7 out of the Los Angeles Kings with a 2-1 win in front of the San Jose faithful.
Antti Niemi was once again brilliant for the Sharks and is a major reason he Sharks have forced a decisive Game 7 against the Kings. When the postseason started, it was believed that Niemi could be the best netminder in the Western Conference but while that hasn’t proven entirely true, Niemi still has boosted the Sharks above where they otherwise would be with a lesser player between the pipes.
Speaking of brilliant netminding, the Kings can usually rely on Jonathan Quick to be clutch in the postseason, especially after last season’s run to the Stanley Cup that was placed squarely on his pads. But the Kings have struggled on the road not just in this series but throughout the entire postseason. They have failed to beat the Sharks inside the HP Pavillion this series but thankfully for them, the series has circled back to Los Angeles where the Kings are seemingly unbeatable.
Los Angeles has done a fine job of defending their Stanley Cup from last season but it’s a defense that will have to endure a tight Game 7. While the Kings are unbeatable at home, the NHL playoffs are built for thrilling Game 7’s and it’s anyone’s game at this point. History is ont he side of the Kings but momentum is firmly traveling back to Los Angeles with the Sharks.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are waiting on the Western Conference to wrap things up, as the Red Wings and Blackhawks could have a winner decided on Monday night. But the thrills seems to be in the series between the Kings and Sharks and a Game 7 was something everyone wanted to see and can’t wait to get underway.