Pre-Game Talk: PDSF: (2) San Jose Sharks vs. (3) Los Angeles Kings (Schedule in OP)
- Thread starter Raccoon Jesus
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Buddy The Elf
Kings!
Really hope it's Chicago, but with the injuries St. Louis has I kinda doubt it.
depends on the health of Kane and Toews.
We are worried about Drew, imagine how worried the hawks fans are with those two out.
This maybe the last kick at the can for the Blackhawks. If the cap only goes up to $68M they will have to gut their team again.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
Yep! 1 of Minny/Avs and Ducks/Stars are moving on. 2nd round gets a facelift no matter what. Could conceivably be Kings vs. Stars and Blues vs. Avs in the 2nd round. Real changing of the guard going on in the west.
TonySCV
Golden
Yep. A big part of winning the Stanley Cup is luck with match-ups, and the Hawks hit the jackpot on that front getting a banged-up, mentally weak Blues team.
Arguably the same can be said for the Kings. Of the Sharks and Ducks, the Sharks are a (barely) more favorable match-up - although home ice is a huge advantage for the Sharks given how fine the line is between teams. The reality with Anaheim this season is the Kings haven't figured out a way to beat them consistently.
Not many teams have, but their goaltending is a huge problem for them and you know... defense wins ... yadda, yadda. Dallas could pull off an upset but Lehtonen will have to head-stand.
The kings/shark will come down to goaltending. Neimi has been inconsistent and that favours LA. The sharks are getting healthy at the wrong time for the Kings.
If Drew is not 100% 9which I doubt he is) than the same of what you said can be said of the sharks.
Should be a good series.
Does anyone have the lines for both teams? I know Kings Insider will prob post them soon, but what about Sharks.
Kingsfan1
Registered User
How far out is the drive to the Shark tank ? Who's going !
Thinking of making it out for game 2.
Thinking of making it out for game 2.
That's a great question. Shark's media is unsure of the answer.
Sharks have too many healthy forwards now and are juggling practice lines. You won't know until the game starts Thursday.
This is who skated today:
Pavelski/Thornton/Burns
Marleau/Couture/Havlat,Nieto
Hertl,Wingels/Sheppard/Kearns
Desjardins/Kennedy/Brown,Torres
Pretty confusing, right? I don't think this is what the final result will be.
If all the forwards are healthy I would anticipate:
Forwards:
Hertl/Thornton/Burns (Alternate: Pavelski/Thornton/Burns )
Marleau/Couture/Havlat
Torres/Pavelski/Wingels (Alternate: Hertl/Sheppard/Wingels )
Kennedy/Desjardins/Sheppard (Alternate: Kennedy/Desjardins/Torres)
Extra: Nieto is put in if there are any injured top 9. Kearns is unlikely to make the 4th line cut without injuries. Alternate lines are if Pavelski is kept on 1st line LW.
Defense:
Vlassic - Braun
Irwen - Boyle
Stuart - Demers
Tennyson
Extra: Hannan likely injured but if he is not he plays with Demers and Tennyson is benched for Stuart.
Goalies:
Niemi
Stalock
Extra: Niemi unconfirmed starter.
Edit: Sorry this came off so disorganized but it's the best answer I can give for now, it's really that up-in-the-air.
Reclamation Project
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Buddy The Elf
Kings!
TheSentinel
Registered User
If you're thinking of driving from New York, you should have left already, flying, you have some time.
From LA, you'll need about 6-8 hours depending on traffic.
Reclamation Project
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This team will live or die by Mike Richards and Dustin Brown. If those two show up, they have a chance. If they don't, it will be a short playoff run.
damacles1156
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I would say Kopitar.
Kopitar being invisible last playoff run killed the Kings against the Hawks.
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damacles1156
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Lets hope it stays that way. Kings can't afford Kopitar too go on a December/Jan like slump.
Especially with how Richards has played.
Not worried about Brown, he has played soo much better since taking the knee brace off.
Richards and Thornton should fight in the first game. Preferably first face off.
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damacles1156
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Wow, Kopitar has a shooting percentage of 100% in his last 3 games: 4 shots 4 goals.
Shoot more, Kopi
Kopitar is one of the most frustrating guys too watch on offense.
He is a friggin House, but only plays that way in streaks. He has a 40 goal Wrist shot he barely uses....
Frustrating.
Kopitar has had a great season, and barely made 70 points. He just avoided having a career low producing season.
Ughh.
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Given his concussion history, I'd prefer if he didn't. One punch and he could be out for the entire playoffs.
damacles1156
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