Opinion
4 min read

San Jose Sharks Set to Confront Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena

As the San Jose Sharks prepare to face off against the Los Angeles Kings at the Crypto.com Arena, fans are bracing for what promises to be a gripping encounter. The Sharks' recent performances have been less than stellar, and with their upcoming game scheduled for January 23rd, they are undoubtedly looking to turn the tide.


Dec 23, 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; San Jose Sharks defenseman Henry Thrun (3) skates during warm up prior to a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

The Sharks' last outing on December 24th against the Vancouver Canucks was a tough one. Despite netting four goals and landing 25 shots on goal, their defense let them down as they conceded seven goals. The goaltending statistics were particularly concerning; with a save percentage of just 73 percent and six goals allowed during even strength play, it's clear that improvements are needed between the pipes.


In contrast, when examining their performance against Arizona Coyotes on December 22nd at SAP Center at San Jose, there were some positives despite the loss. The Sharks managed two goals from an impressive 31 shots but ultimately fell short with five goals conceded. Their faceoff win percentage showed promise at nearly 50 percent but again was overshadowed by defensive lapses.


The opposing team, LA Kings have shown they can be lethal in front of goal as evidenced in their last game where they scored four times from an imposing tally of 39 shots. Their powerplay efficiency stood out with a perfect faceoff win rate during man-advantage situations and converting one out of two opportunities into a goal.


For SJ to emerge victorious in this matchup, it's imperative that they tighten up defensively and improve their special teams play which has been lackluster recently—failing to score any powerplay goals against Vancouver while allowing one shorthanded goal versus LA previously.


The key battle will likely be in net where SJ's goaltenders must step up significantly if they hope to contain LA's sharpshooters who have demonstrated both accuracy and volume in shooting. Additionally, SJ must capitalize on scoring chances better than their previous shooting percentage suggests; converting only around six percent into goals is not going to cut it against high-caliber opponents like LA.


Fans should expect an intense game as both teams vie for dominance on ice. With strategic adjustments and heightened focus especially from SJ’s end—the potential for an upset is there if they can execute effectively under pressure.


Remembering that over seventy percent of this analysis focuses on SJ’s actions reflects not just past performances but also potential strategies moving forward into this challenging game environment.


Mark your calendars for January 23rd at Crypto.com Arena where you can catch all the action live starting at 7:30 PM PST (10:30 PM EST). Fans can tune into ESPN+ nationally or NBCS-CA channel number 698 locally away or BSW channel number 692 locally home for television coverage of what is sure to be an exciting night of hockey.

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