Tonight's the night for the San Jose Sharks to try and close out their series with the Los Angeles Kings. It won't be easy considering the fact that they are playing in Los Angeles, where attendance capacity is supposed to exceed almost 18,200 or maybe more, and where it is expected to get very, very loud in terms of Kings fans.
The Sharks are currently having a 3-2 lead in the series, but all that momentum could very well change after tonight's game if they don't win. They came back from a 4-0 deficit in Game 3 to win it in overtime 6-5. They took a decisive Game 4 victory, leaving the Kings to win Game 5 3-1 and force the series back down to LA.
Let's check it here. Do you think the Sharks will win and close it out? Or is LA showing that they have enough to force a Game 7 back up in San Jose? My guess is that San Jose will probably close it out tonight after knowing how to play in LA and leave the loudness of the crowd in its seats. But look for LA to actually make some noise for the Sharks and allow Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi to make some huge saves which he hasn't done yet.
I think Antii Niemi will have a good time, and I think Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau will create a short bit of offense that'll allow them to score right through that Kings defensive line and in past Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick. The defense of the Sharks is looking all right to me. Dan Boyle, Niclas Wallin, and Jason Demers have been tremendous on that offensive line, allowing only 3 goals in their last two games, although one of those was a loss.
For the Kings, without Anze Kopitar still not in the lineup, things could get tougher for them as Justin Williams, Jarret Stoll, and Ryan Smyth will have to provide the bulk of the offensive unit. Jonathan Quick will have to be solid in net tonight if he expects to lead the Kings to a win and force the series to Game 7 in San Jose. The defense, including Jack Johnson, has looked rough at times, but it has provided some big key defensive plays that have allowed them in stay in close games. Looks like a big defensive game will be one of the keys for the Kings in forcing a Game 7.
Well, Game 6 is tonight at STAPLES Center and we'll see if the Kings can actually pull it off and force a Game 7, or if San Jose will finally close it out here. As I said earlier, I expect the Sharks to finish it here. They know LA and they know how to keep those fans in their seats and not up on their feet. Should be a great game tonight, puckheads!
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