Stadium Series day.
The NHL couldn’t have drawn it up much better if they tried. The Sharks and Kings outdoor game couldn’t be much more important than it is today with regards to the standings.
The winner will be in 8th in the Western Conference – or the second wildcard as it’s called these days.
Los Angeles has been on a tear lately – winning six straight – which should come as no surprise to anyone. The Kings are not someone you want directly in your rear-view mirror when it’s getting closer to March.
So, while today’s game will be fun and fantastic, it does have playoff implications and San Jose needs to be aware of that and take this game with the seriousness that it deserves.
The play for the Sharks has been up and down the last 25+ games and they need to find some consistency.
The lineup may not be the optimal one – and by that I mean the 19 year old defender who is better than two of the regulars might not play because the veterans might not get another crack at an outdoor game. That’s the sad reality of it all.
Since there is a slim to none chance there will be a fight – I’m not sure if there’s ever been a scrap in an outdoor game? Anyone know this off-hand? – so John Scott shouldn’t be in the lineup. However, John Scott may not find employment ever again after this season so maybe he dresses so he can have some fun.
Keys To The Game:
Get Shot Attempts To Quick
Jonathan Quick does not have magical regular season numbers. He will let in goals. His 5v5 sv% is only .38% better than Niemi. San Jose has to find a way to get as many shot attempts on goal as possible and cause a traffic jam in front of the Kings goaltender.
Match-ups
If I’m Todd McLellan I want Joe Thornton out against Anze Kopitar for two reasons. 1) Thornton is the Sharks best possession player and; 2) He’s much bigger than Couture.
Kopitar is probably the most underrated center in the NHL. He’s a superstar – and a big bodied one. Couture just doesn’t match up well enough in possession or in size for me to feel comfortable having him out there working on Kopitar and also having Doughty out there at the same time.
Let Niemi See The Shots
Too often lately the Sharks are their own worst enemy in their own zone. Whether it’s screening their own goalie or doing the skinny-tree shot block attempts. If you’re going to block a shot then get down and block the damn shot or get out of the way. Niemi has a hard enough time tracking pucks that don’t hit anyone on the way to him; he’s not going to fare well – and he hasn’t – with shots that nick a stick or shin on the travel to the net.
This game is a great opportunity for the Sharks to get some confidence back in their game. The Kings are hot and the spotlight of the outdoor game is shining bright. If they can put a great sixty minute effort in and beat a division rival with a playoff spot on the line it will be something they can build off for the stretch run.
It’s going to be a dogfight for the rest of the season and San Jose has to figure out how to dig down and start winning some games – especially the ones against those close to them in the standings.
Thanks for reading.
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