Kings at Sharks
THE STORY: The Los Angeles Kings haven't forgotten their loss to San
Jose in the first round of last year's Stanley Cup playoffs. While the
outcome wasn't what they wanted, The Kings will look to continue the
trend of road team dominance as they visit the rival Sharks on Monday.
The bizarre six-game series saw the road team prevail in the final five
games - capped by a 4-3 San Jose overtime win in Game 6. Los Angeles is
already enjoying plenty of success away from the Staples Center this
season, going 3-1-2 through its first six games. The Kings come in
having dropped four in a row, spoiling a hot start to the campaign. San
Jose has dropped two of three following a five-game winning streak, but
have earned three of a possible four points on its six-game homestand.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network Canada, FS West (Los Angeles), CS California (San Jose)
ABOUT THE KINGS (6-4-3):
What began the season as the club's biggest strengths - defense and
goaltending - has been more of a concern of late. Since posting
consecutive shutouts over St. Louis, Phoenix and Dallas, Los Angeles has
surrendered three goals in each of its last six games. Defenseman Drew
Doughty, who missed training camp because of a contract dispute, still
hasn't gotten untracked. The former Norris Trophy candidate has only two
assists in eight games.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (7-4-1): So much for a sophomore slump. Logan
Couture has put concerns of a second-year lag behind him, sitting second
on the club in goals (five) and third in points (10) while getting
significant time both on the power play and penalty kill. For a team
that relies on its top two lines more than any other club in the NHL,
his emergence as a reliable point-getter should allay concerns San Jose
lost too much offense with the departures of Dany Heatley and Devin
Setoguchi.
OVERTIME:
1. The head-to-head showdown has been a one-sided
affair over the last decade, with the Sharks winning 36 of the last 54
meetings.
2. Ryane Clowe has struggled throughout his career against the Kings, recording only five goals and six assists in 28 games.