The Los Angeles Kings have a habit of getting themselves out of tight spots. They were in a 2-0 hole after the first two games of their Western Conference Quarterfinals series against San Jose but they managed to steal one on the road in Game 3.
It’s going to be one huge Game 4 on Wednesday night. The Kings could take back home ice advantage for the rest of the series, while the Sharks could move just one win away from advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Read on as we take a look at everything you need to know heading into this game.
For more Stanley Cup Playoffs action, check out our complete Game 4 Previews for the Capitals vs. Flyers and Stars vs. Wild.
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San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings Game 4 Preview
Where: SAP Center, San Jose
When: Wednesday, April 20, 10:30 PM ET
Line: San Jose Sharks (-120) vs. Los Angeles Kings (EVEN); total 5.0 – view all NHL lines
TV Broadcast: USA
Betting on the San Jose Sharks
Despite wasting their first home game in the first round of the playoffs, the San Jose Sharks aren’t feeling too much pressure ahead of Game 4. Head coach Peter DeBoer was quick to point out that the first team to four wins the series, and the Sharks still have a 2-1 lead. They also managed to outshot and outchance the Kings in Game 3.
To avoid another home losing rut in the playoffs, the Sharks will need to rely on Joe Pavelski. He leads all players in the series with four points. He scored twice against the Kings in Game 1 and had a goal and an assist in Game 2. He was held without a point in the series’ first stop in San Jose.
The Sharks have a potent offense with five different goal-scorers throughout the first three games of the series (Brent Burns, Logan Couture, Joe Thornton and Tomas Hertl). Meanwhile, Joel Ward has been a good playmaker with two assists. Expect the Sharks to pour it on the Kings net as they come out guns blazing for Game 4.
All of San Jose’s firepower will be useless if Martin Jones can’t give a good game between the pipes. Jones has gone 5-2-1 with a 2.34 GAA against the Kings this season. He’s gone 2-1 with a 1.50 GAA in five career playoff games. He should once again be tough at the last line of defense considering the big game he had in Game 3.
The Sharks have won four of their last six against Los Angeles.
Betting on the Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings have been here before. In fact, they were in way deeper trouble the last time they were in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Kings faced a 3-0 hole in their first round series against the San Jose Sharks in 2014. But they exploded to win the last four games to win the series and eventually the Stanley Cup.
The Kings found themselves in a similar predicament in Game 3. They quickly fell behind 1-0 just 30 seconds into the game. Anze Kopitar tied the game halfway through the first period. Goaltender Jonathan Quick transformed into a brick wall, turning away the next 29 shots he faced as the Kings won 2-1 in overtime. Tanner Pearson scored the game-winning goal just 3:47 into the extra period.
Los Angeles’ main man may not be the likes of Milan Lucic or Anze Kopitar. It may be Pearson, who’s on a season-best five-game point streak. Aside from scoring Game 3’s overtime winner, he had a helper in each of the first two games of the series. He has a pair of points coming from the Kings’ last two regular season games.
Tight low-scoring games may be great for the Kings especially with Quick all primed and ready to go. He has won three straight playoff games in San Jose, posting a 0.65 GAA and a .980 save percentage.
The Kings have won three of their last four in San Jose dating back to the regular season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Kings (EVEN) tie the series in a tight game. Under 5.0 is looking pretty good with both goalies tightening up their games after the high-scoring first two games.
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