Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks NHL Pick
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The Los Angeles Kings’ playoff run hangs in the balance as the San Jose Sharks look to clinch the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series on Saturday with a win on home ice.
Date/Time: Saturday, April 23, 10:30 PM ET
Venue: The HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA.
Broadcast: Versus
Money Line: San Jose -220, Los Angeles +180
Spread: San Jose -1 ½
Over/Under: 5
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This is the second time the Sharks will face a desperate LA team who is looking at a 3-1 deficit, and will have their chance to eliminate their SOCAL rival if they can put their past mistakes behind them.
The Sharks came out flat in Game 2 after taking Game 1 in San Jose, the Kings took advantage, and it turned out 4-0 in favor of Los Angeles –the only win the seventh seed has in the series.
Now it’s do-or-die for the Kings who unlike in Game 2 have their backs against the wall. They’re going to need to fight and claw to try and get his series back to the Staples Center by winning three in a row starting on Saturday.
But the Kings momentum as definitely stalled after allowing the Sharks to rally from a 4-0 deficit in the second period, winning Game 3 in LA, 6-5 in overtime. The feat allowed the Sharks to join the Minnesota North Stars (1985 versus Chicago), the Kings (1982 versus Edmonton), and Montreal (1971 versus Boston) as the only teams to come back from a four-goal deficit to win a playoff game.
Then in Game 4 in San Jose on Thursday, Ryane Clowe scored two goals to take the series lead with four overall as the Sharks blew out the Kings 6-3. Jason Demers and Joe Thornton scored their first goals of the series while Joe Pavelski netted his third. Logan Couture, Kyle Wellwood, and Ian White chipped in two assists apiece.
Los Angeles gave up 12 goals in its two home games as keeper Jonathan Quick, who was solid in the first period for Los Angeles, soon fell apart in losing his second straight. He stopped 21 shots. Meanwhile, Antti Niemi stopped 35 of 38 shots while back in goal for the Sharks after being pulled for giving up four consecutive goals to the Kings before their collapse Tuesday.
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: Sharks- Since it’s likely they would face Detroit in the second round, assuming Vancouver finds a way to close out Chicago. San Jose will not want to return to Los Angeles and will be primed and ready to end their series against LA as soon as possible as the Red Wings are getting their rest after having eliminated the Phoenix Coyotes in a quick four games.
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