Games 32-33: Kings vs San Jose Sharks 1:3, Kings @ San Jose Sharks 4:2

Sharks teach Kings a valuable lesson [1:3]

Kings fall flat on their collective faces
(photo courtesy of www.yahoo.com)

LA goal from: Lubomir Visnovsky
SJS goals from: Pavelsky (2), Bernier

Pros and cons: Well, as expected almost anytime the Kings have three or more days off before another game on schedule, LA fell to their faces. What's the good thing in it? I did not set my hopes too high. The Sharks came out to play much like the Predators a couple of days earlier and snatched quite an easy victory at Staples.

Defensive blunders (see: breakaway, by Pavelski) and lack of fore- and backchecking, as well as putting the league's No1 PP unit out on the easy as many as seven times per game [withtwo scores] would kill teams much better than the Kings.


This is what happens when (almost) everybody "plays hard" [4:2]

On top of the Sharks at the Tank (photo courtesy of www.yahoo.com)

LA goals from: Anze Kopitar (2), Michael Cammalleri, Derek Armstrong
SJS goals from: Ehrhoff, Grier

Pros: Huge game by Kopitar who set the tone. Alexander Frolov might have made the key roster move taking out Dan Cloutier with this shot of his, that bounced off Cloutier's collarbone :). While Barry Brust is still not an answer for an NHL club, he really did well last night [congrats, man!]. Shutting out the PP unit and Marleau-Thornton-Cheechoo trio to ten shots and just one point [assist by Joe] was amazing.

Cons: Mostly, inconsistent play from game to game. I mean c'mon, who in their right minds would have thought the Kings take it from the Sharks at the tank without Lubo, while scoring four? Heck, I benched Kopitar on my fantasy team myself... I really don't know what to expect on Saturday afternoon (night, my time) against Dallas. I really don't.