GDT: PDSF: (2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) San Jose Sharks

[Zero Pucks Given]

I've been reading their board. Many of them believe they can upset the Ducks....

They gave the Blackhawks all they could handle last year...

 

[Butch 19]

Game 1 is on Thursday at 7;30

I will be enjoying my stress-free downtime until Thur night.

Then, bring it on d^%ches!!

 

[AlphaBravo]

Lol a lot of so called King fans were never around before 2012. If they were and the complain like this now just think how much fun a board like this would have been the years before Dean took over.

Its incredible how much expectations have gone up since yesteryears. I remember how excited I used to get when the Kings simply won a round against the Red Wings in the early 2000s, and hoping to see the Kings win one game when they played the Canucks in 2009. Now its Cup or bust.

The one thing I can say is, no matter how much it sucked to not make the playoffs last year, it was nice to watch the games stress free.

 

[BigBrown]

I'm worried that the Sharks are better and the Kings are worse than last time they met in the playoffs. Burns is on fire, Thornton has his best season in years, they've added Martin who really helps to solidify their d and Ward who is a proven playoff performer, they don't have as many pylons on defense as in the past... As usual their main weapon is their power play and considering how poor the Kings PK is nowadays and how often they take penalties I'm definitely not feeling very confident.

 

[YP44]

A quick start is going to be crucial. Quick few goals in the first, and physical and sustained forecheck throughout the game. The Kings will need to instill doubt in the Sharks and have them feeling apprehensive about this series.

I respect the Sharks and think they have a great team this year, but I feel really confident about winning this series. People need to stop equating the Kings' post-clinch play to how the Kings will play in the playoffs. Sutter clearly did not care about the division and was messing around with the lineups after the Kings clinched. Its similar to comparing results from pre-season play to how the team will perform on day one of the regular season.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see a completely different line up than what we have seen the last few games. My prediction is that Sutter roles with the following lines:

Pearson-Kopitar-Steeg
Lucic-Carter-Toffoli
Clifford-Lecavs-Gaborik
King-Lewis-Brown

Some might call this crazy because AA has been on fire (I myself might be in this group), but Sutter made comments after the Ducks game that he was concerned about the number of end zone draws AA's line had to take. Frankly, that is a real concern with the Sharks, considering that a clean draw and pass to Burns could lead to many goals.

I to respect the hell out of the sharks. I think thye have made some key additions with Polak, Martin, Ward, and Jones. They are very deep at forward and I think are well rounded all over.
I think this was a terrible matchup for LA and wish that LA would have won the division. Of course had LA won against the Jets and got Nashville I may be panicking and thinking the opposite

 

[theMajor]

Sure the Kings have a chance but they really have no answer for Burns. Kings D looks even slower than last year's, probably unable to get the puck out of their own end against any sort of pressure. Only real hope is Shark mental fragility.

top 3 defense (even though its the 'system', really) in the league as far as GAA is concerned, dont you forget that. the overwhelming majority of this Kings roster knows what it takes to dig deep and win. I think that fact in itself trumps everything else....momentum, Burns, Thornton, a hot goalie, or whatever else you can name. this team is full of playoff warriors that know how to win. no one wants to play the Kings

 

[AlphaBravo]

I'm worried that the Sharks are better and the Kings are worse than last time they met in the playoffs. Burns is on fire, Thornton has his best season in years, they've added Martin who really helps to solidify their d and Ward who is a proven playoff performer, they don't have as many pylons on defense as in the past... As usual their main weapon is their power play and considering how poor the Kings PK is nowadays and how often they take penalties I'm definitely not feeling very confident.

The Kings got better as well. Lecavs is better then 2014 Richards. AA plays with more energy and can score more goals than 2014 Stoll, and if Sutter plays Shore, I would say Shore is better defensively and possession wise than Stoll.

With respect to wingers, yes, we lost Williams, but we have Lucic now who is also a playoff performer and a beast physically, along with Steeg, another playoff performer.

We did get worse on defense without Mitchell, but I would say Quick is playing better this year than in 2014, which may offset that.

 

[YP44]

took longer for someone to bring up brown on horse face than I thought on the sharks board.

 

[YP44]

The Kings got better as well. Lecavs is better then 2014 Richards. AA plays with more energy and can score more goals than 2014 Stoll, and if Sutter plays Shore, I would say Shore is better defensively and possession wise than Stoll.

With respect to wingers, yes, we lost Williams, but we have Lucic now who is also a playoff performer and a beast physically, along with Steeg, another playoff performer.

We did get worse on defense without Mitchell, but I would say Quick is playing better this year than in 2014, which may offset that.

I think our Wingers are worse or equal now compared to 2014 (Williams playoff MVP will be missed), I like our centre depth over 2014, defensive depth is worse so Quick will need to be even better.

I think San Jose has improved in Forward depth, Defensive depth and Goaltending at worse (best?) is equal to 2014 as Jones is unproven.

Going to be entertaining games for sure. Hopefully LA comes out flying game 1 to put my nerves at ease.

 

[AlphaBravo]

I to respect the hell out of the sharks. I think thye have made some key additions with Polak, Martin, Ward, and Jones. They are very deep at forward and I think are well rounded all over.
I think this was a terrible matchup for LA and wish that LA would have won the division. Of course had LA won against the Jets and got Nashville I may be panicking and thinking the opposite

Nashville is a worse matchup for the Kings. We have never played them in the playoffs, but just from regular season games, the Kings had a very difficult time getting any cycle going against them because of their neutral zone shut down. Any team that can cut the Kings off from their cycle game and forces them to rely on one-off rushes to score goals will beat the Kings. That was my concern with playing the Preds.

While the Sharks also have great individual defensemen, their system is easier to counter with down low cycles. I haven't seen a single Kings-Sharks game where the neutral zone was completely clogged up and the Kings couldn't even enter the zone. The way the Sharks beat the Kings is with speed and their amazing point shots with traffic in front of the net. But I would take that issue over the problems the Preds would present.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Nashville is a worse matchup for the Kings. We have never played them in the playoffs, but just from regular season games, the Kings had a very difficult time getting any cycle going against them because of their neutral zone shut down. Any team that can cut the Kings off from their cycle game and forces them to rely on one-off rushes to score goals will beat the Kings. That was my concern with playing the Preds.

While the Sharks also have great individual defensemen, their system is easier to counter with down low cycles. I haven't seen a single Kings-Sharks game where the neutral zone was completely clogged up and the Kings couldn't even enter the zone. The way the Sharks beat the Kings is with speed and their amazing point shots with traffic in front of the net. But I would take that issue over the problems the Preds would present.

Bingo.

 

[Omni Owl]

We're going to have to somehow contain Thornton, Marleau, Couture, and ESPECIALLY Burns/Pavelski. Sharks now have a better D than us with a healthy Vlasic/Martin and depth in Polak. I'm not feeling too confident in our D, but if they stick to the system and have support from the forwards we might be OK. Whoever does well on the PP and PK will probably win the series, that should be a big concern for us.

 

[YAYSAY]

We're going to have to somehow contain Thornton, Marleau, Couture, and ESPECIALLY Burns/Pavelski. Sharks now have a better D than us with a healthy Vlasic/Martin and depth in Polak. I'm not feeling too confident in our D, but if they stick to the system and have support from the forwards we might be OK. Whoever does well on the PP and PK will probably win the series, that should be a big concern for us.

I really hope Lucic is our X-factor, I'm hoping he comes out his first shift and just nails one of their stars like Thornton, Couture or Burns. I'm also expecting Brown to pick up his physicality.
Also Vinny has done well against the Sharks this year, I think him and Steeger will put us over the edge in terms of depth scoring.
Kopi has been poor against the Sharks this year, needs to step up, and contain Pavelski.
I'm excited to see our newcomers in the playoffs, I think Looch is exactly the type of player we need for playoffs.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I guess the reality is that neither Nashville or SJ was going to be an easy first round matchup. It's going to be a bloodbath once again for the pacific teams to get to the SCF. We'llhave to go through SJ, one of Anaheim/Nashville, and then whatever beast comes out of the central, likely Chicago again.

We were one bad bounce away from total embarrassment in 2014. Imagine how different things may be if we would have lost that series. Idk. I don't think the Sharks will ever have what it takes to go all the way, but they muster enough gumption to take us out in the first round. Going to be a really tough series.

 

[YP44]

I guess the reality is that neither Nashville or SJ was going to be an easy first round matchup. It's going to be a bloodbath once again for the pacific teams to get to the SCF. We'llhave to go through SJ, one of Anaheim/Nashville, and then whatever beast comes out of the central, likely Chicago again.

We were one bad bounce away from total embarrassment in 2014. Imagine how different things may be if we would have lost that series. Idk. I don't think the Sharks will ever have what it takes to go all the way, but they muster enough gumption to take us out in the first round. Going to be a really tough series.

Yup. Was a very close series yet a lot seem to think LA has San Jose's number..not really the case.

 

[AlphaBravo]

Yup. Was a very close series yet a lot seem to think LA has San Jose's number..not really the case.

Because we won that series, people forget how lethal the Sharks were in that series. After the first three games, I was sure that no team could stop the Sharks from winning the Stanley cup. I don't know what happened to them when the Kings did the reverse sweep. Mind you, the Kings did their part after going down 0-3, and started to play better, but there was also a big drop off in the Sharks play.

I wouldn't be surprised if we start off like deer caught in the headlights the first 5 minutes of the 1st game. I just hope we can contain them during that period until we get our game going.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

Sharks will win the cup
















at NHL-16 oooooooooohhhh burrrrrrrrrn!!!!!

 

[mbar]

Was today a day off or is there any news from practice on Gabby or Martinez?

 

[Pucknut50]

After reading through your thread, I see there is a lot of anxiety going on. Just remember guys, it's the playoffs. Time to leave the negativity at the door, and rally around your club, and give it everything you've got as a fan. There's plenty of time afterward to be cynical. Cheer loud, and proud.

I see you don't understand the concept of the HFBOARDS. It is here so people can ***** about the team and players during and after every game/loss. We have guys here that even ***** when we win games.

GKG

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Was today a day off or is there any news from practice on Gabby or Martinez?

Sure seems like an off-rink day, no insiders at rinks or practice reports or anything.

I kind of agree with Hammond here, heh

 

[YP44]

http://www.mercurynews.com/sharks/ci_29744182/sharks-playoff-games-still-short-selling-out

For those kings fans that can make the trip

 

[Tadite]

Best regular season we've had in years. By a whole lot. Like a record setting season. 102 pts and 48 wins. +30 Diff with a top-3 defense and 5 guys with 50+ points (that's even with all the injuries and lost guys).

Hell it's the first time in my being a fan I thought we'd make the playoffs the whole way. Spend the past 12 games giving time to rookies and playing around waiting for the playoffs to start and not praying on the last game. Screw the division title. It's worthless.

Playing the Sharks. Bring it.


Actually looking that the stats is weird (ignoring the advanced states. Anyone want to put that post together?)!

Leading Points Top 5
Kopitar 74 pts +34
Carter 62 pts +18
Toffoli 58 pts +35
Lucic 55 pts +26
Doughty 51 pts +24 (D-man)

Thornton 82pts +25
Pavelski 78pts +25
Burns 75pts -5 (D-man)
Marleau 48pts -22
Hertl 46pts +16

I realize that Couture has been injured and this isn't by any-means a great way to evaluate a team but even so I'm not seeing so dramatic increase in depth beyond the top-5 guys. More so I'd take my top-5 scorers. Wouldn't you?

 

[theMajor]

http://www.mercurynews.com/sharks/ci_29744182/sharks-playoff-games-still-short-selling-out

For those kings fans that can make the trip

dude, the first comment is GOLD

Raise my tickets by 30% to watch a team choke 100%, Sorry this time I'm watching it on the tube, at least I can turn the channel when they run out of oxygen.

 

[driller1]

LeBrun saying Kings in 7. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing lol

On the bright side, Burnside picked against us!

For those that don't remember, he picked against the Kings for 10 straight series in 2012 (0-4), 2013 (1-2), and 2014 (0-3). JFTC did a hilarious piece on Burnside's picks leading up to the SCF. Of course Burnside had to pick the Kings over Rangers at that point.

 

[Kingsfan1]

Offensively I think we have them beat. The defense is what I'm worried about but I'm hoping Scuderi and Schenns game are better suited for the playoffs. The Kings always perform better in the playoffs throughout the lineup. If Gabby plays we have the deepest lineup in the league.