Kings-Sharks Playoff Preview

        For the first time ever we'll have a battle of Californa in the the playoffs, as the San Jose Sharks host the LA Kings. These two teams have met twice over the past few weeks. LA at home won the first game 4-3 in a shootout, the second game at the Shark Tank was dominated by the Sharks 6-1, all goals by San Jose came 5 on 5. The season series was split 3-3, some people will forget that on December 27th, the Kings went into San Jose and dominated them 4-0. After that game Kings color commentator Jim Fox said it was the best game he has ever seen the Kings play.
        Justin Williams is coming back from a disclocated shoulder, but he's only at 80%, but who comes
out the lineup? Enforcer Kevin Westgarth or sophmore Oscar Moller are the two candidates. Sharks power forward Ryan Clowe is less than 100% , but should be ready for the series opener. Look for both teams to target both injured forwards, espcecially Douglas Murray on Wiliams. Overall it could be one of the more physical series, Kings captain Dustin Brown is 4th in hits this season. Both teams have tougher, aggressive players LA has it spread outh throughout the lineup, most of the Sharks beef is on the fourth line. The Kings will attempt to use their size to drive hard to the net with their big bodies, in Dustin Penner, Michael Handzus and Alexei Ponikarovsky.
        Specialty teams will be a key in the series, the Sharks have the 2nd best powerplay, while the Kings have the 4th best penalty kill. The Kings powerplay is not the same without Kopitar, as a team they have the leagues 25th ranked powerplay. While San Jose has the 24th best penalty kill. San Jose is 6th in goals for, while LA has the 6th best goals against.
         The Sharks of course have Anti Niemi, the Stanley Cup champion goalie from last years Chicago Blackhawks. LA will be turning to Johathan Quick once again. Despite some question late in the season, he is the go to guy. Quick would need to faultor early and often for Kings backup Jonathan Bernier to see any action.
        The Sharks have the big three, Joe Thornton, Danny Heatley & Patrick Marleau. But, the Kings cannot forget about Logan Couture & Joe Pavelski as well, those two could be the key to the series.
Goal scoring for the Kings was a problem before Kopitar got injured. They do have 6 (20) goal scorers one of which of course is Kopitar. Kings coach Terry Murray will shakeup all 4 lines when need be, more often than most  other coaches. Lately he's had Handzus, Penner & Moller, but that line has struggled quite a bit, but Williams could be a nice fit in place of Moller.
        Arguably the Kings have a better defense through and through. Led by young studs Jack Johnson and Drew Doughty, they also have shutdown de-men in Wille MItchell and Rob Scuderi. Sharks blue line is led by all star Dan Boyle, Murray, then they have Ian White and Marc Vlasic.
       It will be a closer series than people expect, if the Kings can get the power play going I like them in 6. If they're PP remains cold the Sharks could take down the series in 6.