Kings at Sharks
The San Jose Sharks attempt to overtake the Los Angeles Kings for fourth place in the Western Conference when the Pacific Division rivals face off at HP Pavilion on Tuesday. San Jose pulled within one point of Los Angeles with a 4-0 road triumph over the Phoenix Coyotes on Monday. Antti Niemi posted his 23rd career shutout and fourth of the season while Tommy Wingels recorded a goal and an assist as the Sharks improved to 9-2-1 in their last 12 contests.
The Kings are coming off a 2-1 home victory over the Pacific-leading Anaheim Ducks on Saturday. Mike Richards snapped a tie during a power play with 58 seconds remaining in the middle period and Jonathan Quick turned aside all 11 shots he faced in the third as Los Angeles improved to 4-1-1 over its last six games. The Kings have struggled on the road of late, losing four of their last five.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, KCOP-13 (Los Angeles), CSN California (San Jose)
ABOUT THE KINGS (24-14-4): While fourth place and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs appears to be the most attainable goal, Los Angeles still has a chance for the division title as it trails Anaheim by seven points with six games remaining. Defenseman Drew Doughty has turned on the offense at the right time. Doughty has scored four goals in his last five games after tallying just once in his first 37 contests.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (22-13-7): San Jose was relentless in the second period Monday, outshooting the Coyotes 24-7. The persistence paid off as Logan Couture and Wingels scored less than two minutes apart midway through the session to create a 2-0 lead. "We had a good second period," Couture said. "We got pucks behind them, and when we roll over our four lines, we're a tough team to beat. I don't know how many shots we had in that period, but it felt like a ton."
OVERTIME
1. Niemi has made 20 consecutive starts for the Sharks.
2. Los Angeles is 3-1-3 in its last seven meetings with the Sharks but has lost four straight at San Jose.
3. The home team has won seven of the last eight games in the all-time series.
PREDICTION: Kings 3, Sharks 2