Opinion
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San Jose Sharks Primed for Redemption Against Los Angeles Kings

As the San Jose Sharks prepare to face off against the Los Angeles Kings, fans are eager to see if their team can turn the tide after a series of challenging games. The Sharks have shown resilience and an ability to adapt, which will be crucial in their upcoming encounter.


Dec 27, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault (24) gets tangled up with San Jose Sharks right wing Mitchell Russell (64) during the second period of a game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

In their last game on March 24th, despite a valiant effort at SAP Center at San Jose, the Sharks fell short in a high-scoring affair against the Chicago Blackhawks. With a final score of 5-4 in favor of Chicago, it was evident that offensive firepower isn't lacking for San Jose. They managed to net two powerplay goals out of four opportunities and won 54 percent of faceoffs. However, defensively they allowed five even-strength goals and had an overtime loss credited to their goaltender who made 26 saves with a save percentage rounding up to 100 percent.


Two days prior on March 22nd against Tampa Bay Lightning, the story wasn't much different; another close game slipped away from them with a final scoreline reading 4-1 for Tampa Bay. Despite having three powerplay chances and winning nearly half of their faceoffs at SAP Center at San Jose before an attendance significantly lower than usual – only 10,315 – they couldn’t capitalize enough where it mattered most.


Dec 27, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala (22) skates with the puck on a breakaway during the second period of a game against the San Jose Sharks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

The most concerning performance came during their visit to Nashville Predators on March 20th when they were overwhelmed by eight goals while only scoring twice themselves. The Predators dominated faceoffs with a win percentage of 67 percent compared to San Jose's mere third-rate success rate in this department. Moreover, Nashville's shooting accuracy was spot-on with a shooting percentage double that of the Sharks'.


Looking ahead at what these statistics mean for the upcoming game against LA Kings; there is no doubt that special teams play will be critical once again. The Sharks' powerplay efficiency has been notable but needs consistency throughout all periods if they are going to overcome opponents like LA Kings who have been known for strong defensive plays.


Dec 27, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings goaltender Cam Talbot (39) looks on before a game against the San Jose Sharks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

The key takeaway is clear: while offense seems promising for SJ with players stepping up when given opportunities on man advantages or even strength situations alike; defense must tighten up significantly if they want better outcomes moving forward.


Fans should mark their calendars as this exciting matchup is scheduled for April 5th at SAP Center at San Jose starting promptly at 7:30 PM PT. It promises not just another chapter in this storied rivalry but also an opportunity for redemption after recent setbacks faced by SJ. This thrilling encounter can be streamed live on ESPN+ or Hulu – platforms where die-hard supporters won’t miss any action-packed moments as these two teams battle it out once more!

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