Chip McCleary: GDT: Sharks vs. Kings (#4 Blues vs. #5 ???) Bonus thread, a live blog of the game that will determine the Blues opponent.

Dear Lord, please let the Sharks win.

I rather enjoy the Polak door (when Kyle Cliffford is not involved in the opening of said door as well as the manner by which its opened), Thornton's disappearing act and Shark's underachieving in general.

Sort of a playoff feel, more like a feeling out process in the first 6 minutes and change. I expect the intensity to ramp up the longer this goes and the closer the game is - but if either team really wants / doesn't want the Blues, that may probably dictate things much more.

Pretty sure both teams would rather play Vancouver.

Pretty decent pressure there by the Kings. They're doing a decent job of possessing the puck so far, the Sharks haven't had it much to be able to generate pressure - and even when they've had it, they've generally been straight down the ice to get a shot on goal.

Torres left all alone by the side of the net, a better pass and he probably one-times that in. (Edit - I thought he was further out when he got that pass, he should have stayed wider. Instead he moved in and then was too close once he got the puck.)

God I hate west coast games.

Kind of surprised neither team is taking the body more here.

End of the 1st. No scoring, no penalties. Kings had more of the control in that period, but the Sharks had a couple decent chances there.

No one in SJ will be upset if we lose.

End of the 1st. No scoring, no penalties. Kings had more of the control in that period, but the Sharks had a couple decent chances there.
- Chip McCleary

Wish i could watch, but sounds pretty uneventful. Odd that there isn't (i am assuming) a lot of emotion in a game that means a lot about how the playoffs will shake out

Both teams playing rather tentatively so far, no one wants to be the first one to make a mistake. I can see it opening up a bit in the 2nd and 3rd periods.

Kings score on a shot that goes off Niemi, up into the air behind him, and trickles into the net before he can cover.

Kings 1, Sharks 0.

That didn't take long, After the Kings have another decent chance, Logan Couture comes down and dances through a couple guys and rips a shot past Quick to tie things up.

Kings 1, Sharks 1.

Voynov's shot deflects off of the Sharks' James Sheppard and into the net. Kings back up 2-1.

Intensity starting to pick up, the Kings are getting more physical in this period.

Clifford almost made it 3-1; Niemi managed to get his glove in the way there.

Kings definitely controlling more of the play here.

Damn NBC Sports, I can't watch it online.

I am good either way.

I think we match up well against the Sharks, and if we face the Kings I would love for the Blues to knock them out in the first round. If we don't and lose, it would not be as difficult to take as a normal first round exit.

Plus, with our additions of JBo and Leopold, along with a healthy Petro, I feel good about playing the Kings. Last year was magical for them, I don't see it happening again.

2-1 Kings with 20 minutes to play.

I think that's the 3rd time tonight that Galiardi has run into Quick, who was fully out of the crease to make the save.

I am good either way.

I think we match up well against the Sharks, and if we face the Kings I would love for the Blues to knock them out in the first round. If we don't and lose, it would not be as difficult to take as a normal first round exit.

Plus, with our additions of JBo and Leopold, along with a healthy Petro, I feel good about playing the Kings. Last year was magical for them, I don't see it happening again.
- carcus

I wish I had your confidence. I know we played most of the games before the D was shored up but the Blues were flat out owned by the Kings this year and in last year's playoffs. I'm gonna be REAL worried.

1st penalty of the night goes to the Sharks. Desjardins for tripping.

This feels like it's the Kings game to lose, but they could easily piss it away.

On a completely unrelated note, most of the music and chants at Staples Center sound like vintage 1970s stuff. I feel like I should have a disco ball going in the room while watching the game.

This feels like it's the Kings game to lose, but they could easily piss it away.

On a completely unrelated note, most of the music and chants at Staples Center sound like vintage 1970s stuff. I feel like I should have a disco ball going in the room while watching the game.
- Chip McCleary

Hard to see LA blowing it with the lead now two.

Justin Williams on a really nice give-and-go. Of course, it was on what should have been an interference call when he set a pick on Irwin that gave Penner room to work with, but hey - you do what you have to do.

Williams is one of those guys I'd love to hate, but damn I wish we had him on this team for ... well, about the last 5 years.