Overview
The San Jose Sharks visit the Staples Center in LA tonight for game 1 of their first round playoff series versus the Kings. This has been a fairly even match-up over the past few seasons but it’s been a real home team win type deal as the home team has won 28 of the last 39 meetings. The Sharks are just 4-12 over the last 16 meetings played in LA.
Head to Head Trends
Home team is 28-11 in the last 39 meetings.
Sharks are 4-12 in the last 16 meetings in Los Angeles.
LA Kings (-135)
The LA Kings finished 2nd in the Pacific Division with 102 points 1 point behind the 1st place Anaheim Ducks. The Kings have been a fairly solid and consistent team most of the season but they are going into the playoffs in a bit of a slump losing 7 of their last 11 games.
The Kings have a middle of the road offense averaging 2.72 goals per game but they are more built around goaltending and defense allowing just 2.34 goals per game although that has jumped all the way up to 2.90 goals per game over their last 10 games.
LA Kings Trends
Kings are 11-4 in their last 15 home games.
Kings are 4-7 over their last 11 games.
San Jose Sharks (+125)
The San Jose Sharks finished 3rd in the Pacific Division 5 points out of 1st place. The Sharks were a mediocre team for the first half of the season, they were actually 2 games under .500 at 18-20 in early January but they played really well in the second half going 28-16 over their last 44 games.
The Sharks have a solid defense allowing 2.52 goals per game and they also have one of the better offenses in the league averaging 2.89 goals per game. The Sharks were the best road team in the entire league this season going 28-10-3 so they obviously travel well.
San Jose Sharks Trends
Sharks are 25-10 in their last 35 road games.
Sharks are 9-2 in their last 11 vs. a team with a winning record.
Conclusion
I like the San Jose Sharks over the Kings in this one. If the Kings were going into the playoffs with a hot goalie I would never bet against them but Quick hasn’t exactly been on fire of late and I also like the Sharks on the road where they have played great this season.
Free Pick: San Jose Sharks +125
