Preview: Sharks @ Kings

Irbe's Pads   31 December 2016

Rivalries are much like flowers. Wait, let me finish.  The seeds to a great rivalry are always sowed early, with the possible chance they blossom into a beautiful flower of animosity and bad blood. On April 5th, 1994, the seeds of a great rivalry was planted. On this day, the struggling Los Angeles Kings, Stanley Cup finalists just a year before, were paid a visit by the upstart San Jose Sharks, the latter attempting to clinch the first playoff berth in their short history. This was particularly remarkable, as the Sharks had set the ominous record of most losses by an NHL team in a single season, with an abhorrent 71 losses in 84 games. With the stakes high, the Sharks came through. Led by the 22 saves of Latvian goalie Arturs Irbe and 2 goals by forward Jamie Baker, the Sharks fortified a 2-0 lead and held off a late surge by the Kings to win the game 2-1, and clinched their place in the 1994 NHL playoffs. With the Kings already eliminated from playoff contention, much might not have been made from this encounter, at least from the Kings perspective. But make no mistake, the seeds were sown. For the next 22 years, the flower of hate continued to grow. Today, on New Year’s eve, a fully bloomed flower of hate has blossomed into the best rivalry in the NHL today. Spectacular comebacks, questionable hits, epic playoff showdowns and postgame banter have all contributed to the blossom of this rivalry. Today, the Sharks (23-12-1) square off against the Los Angeles Kings (17-15-4), and with every meeting between these two teams, the flowers gets a little bit more pollinated. Expect no less this New Year’s Eve.

Meeting the opponent:

Last ten games:  4-4-2 

Current position: 5th in the Pacific, one point out of a wild card spot.

The scoop: Thanks to an injury to their (not that good) goalie Jonathan Quick, the Kings have slumped this season. They've entrusted their goaltending duties to a two headed monster consisting of grizzled veteran Peter Budaj and career backup Jeff Zatkoff. Despite the injury to Quick, the Kings have managed to stay in the playoff race thanks to stellar goaltending by Budaj  and a solid defence (26.1 shots allowed per game, 1st in the NHL). Jeff Carter is also pretty good I guess. The Kings have hit a slump, losing the last 3 games, only scoring 4 goals in those games.

Why you should hate this team: Come on. But here's a little unknown fact. The team is presented by McDonald's. I kid you not. The entire team is brought to you by McDonald's. If that doesn't scream douchey, I don't know what does.

Exciting player to watch: Do I have too? Fine. Jeff Carter is seemingly the only Kings forward who showed up to play this season. Armed with a great shot, the skilled forward has posted 30 points in 36 games, potting 19 goals in the process. Has nice hair, I guess…

Goal watch: You know Dustin Brown is going to score. You know it. Accept it.

Meanwhile, in San Jose: The Sharks are fresh off a well earned 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, Aaron Dell notching his first NHL career shutout. The Sharks stifled the Flyer offence, allowing only 22 shots. Patrick Marleau potted a goal on the powerplay, helping a struggling powerplay that's ranked 18th in the league. However, it was not all sunshine and rainbows, as with 30 seconds left in the game, Marc-Edouard Vlasic took a deflected slapshot right to the face, which I heard is a pretty important part of your body. He was forced to leave the game, and is questionable for tonight.

Goalies: Our lord and saviour Jones starts for San Jose, while Budaj gets the nod for LA.

Go Sharks!