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Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks NHL Pick
The third ever all-Golden State Stanley Cup playoff series shifts from the north to the south as the Los Angeles Kings host the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. The series tied at 1-1 following the Kings dominating 4-0 triumph in Game 2 on Saturday night in San Jose.
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 19, 10:35 PM ET
Venue: Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA.
Broadcast: Versus
Money Line: San Jose -120, Los Angeles +100
Spread: San Jose -1 ½
Over/Under: 5
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Drew Doughty had arguably his best game of the season in the victory, scoring two goals and adding two assists. His four points established a Kings post-season mark for points in a game by a defenseman. Jonathan Quick earned his first career playoff shutout, and it was just the sixth ever shutout in the playoffs in franchise history.
The Sharks will try to regain command of the series by doing a better job killing penalties. Just as they did a year ago, the Kings have seen an upswing in the efficiency of the power play unit during the post-season. The Kings first two goals were with the man-advantage. San Jose also wants to see an improvement from last game in other team stats. The Sharks had 19 giveaways on Saturday as opposed to just six by the Kings. Los Angeles also blocked 22 shots taken by San Jose; conversely, the Sharks blocked just eight.
While the Kings are in the playoffs for a second straight season, they missed the playoffs in the eight seasons prior. Meanwhile, the Sharks have won the Pacific Division the past five seasons but are one of only five teams in the Western Conference, which has never reached the Stanley Cup Finals. So there is some pressure on the Sharks to advance and win their first ever conference title.
The Sharks will get defenseman Ian White back in the lineup. White missed Game 2 after sustaining a mild upper body injury when checked from behind in Game 1 by Jarret Stoll. After serving a one-game suspension for that hit, Stoll will return to the Kings lineup.
The odds makers have the San Jose Sharks as a -1.5 point favorite with an over/under of 5.
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Matt’s Free Prediction: Kings - Momentum is certainly on the side of Los Angeles, and as anyone inside Staples Center for the Kings victory in last season’s playoffs can attest to, the building will provide a boost to the home team. The Sharks need their top line to get a W.
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