The San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings will play game 1 of their best-of-seven series tonight at the Staples Center. There will be no secrets revealed, no mysteries solved and no earth-shattering surprises will arise. Nope, none of that. Instead two teams that are very familiar with each other will try to beat the snot out of the other team until one of them taps out.
This will be the fourth meeting in the last six years between the Kings and Sharks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. San Jose won in six games in 2011. The Kings returned the favor in 2013. Then in 2014, the Sharks won the first three games of the series before imploding and losing the next four.
What story lines will be written in this chapter of this very heated rivalry?
With only hours left before the puck drops all the previews have been written and all the pundits have made their picks. Opinions seem to be surprisingly split. Many believe that a motivated Sharks teams has the horses to upset and very good L.A. team.
I am among that group as well. I believe the Sharks have worked all season to get to this exact moment, against this exact team and I don't see them taking a shift off until its mission accomplished. It's going to be a one team, one vision mindset.
I say this with all sincerity....I have not been this excited about a series since 2012.
So what are some of the possible story lines we should be watching for as the series gets fired up?
- How about the situation between the pipes. We know what Jonathan Quick can do. But, what about Martin Jones? Is Jones ready for his time in the spotlight? He's had an incredible regular season, but the playoffs are a whole new beast. How will he handle the nerves? Will he be easily rattled or will his familiarity with his former team work in the Sharks favor? Jones beat the Kings twice in the regular season and was spectacular in those wins. Will there be more of the same tonight? If we see James Reimer in this series, it may already be too late for San Jose. - Will the Sharks regular season road dominance carry over into the playoffs? The first two games of the series are in L.A.. The goal of any road team is to try and steal one game, but what if the Sharks can will both? San Jose won twice on Staples Center ice during the regular season and have played very well there.
- What Kings team will we see? The one that dominates puck possession and can pound their opponent in submission? Or the team that limped towards the finish line, winning just four of their final 11 games?
- How much of an affect will 2014 have? I have to believe its going to be the fuel for San Jose's fire. Athletes don't like to be embarrassed and losing a 3-0 series lead is at the pinnacle of embarrassment for a professional athlete.
- Is 2016 the Kings year? After missing the playoffs last year, the Kings make their triumphant return to the playoffs relatively healthy and rested. Will they continue to dominate even years? They won it all in 2012 and 2014. Or will they finally be humbled by one of their California foes? (fingers crossed...)
There will be plenty more to talk about as the series gets rolling. I can only hope its as good as I think it's going to be. How can it not? It's two Pacific Division teams from California. It doesn't get any better than that.
Thanks for reading, Steve