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Sharks vs Kings

(Page 4 of 4)
Corey Masisak

Sharks' Vlasic finds spotlight with his effective ways

Monday, 04.14.2014 / 12:59 AM / Sharks vs Kings - 2014 SCP First Round

Eric Gilmore - NHL.com Correspondent

SAN JOSE -- While playing hockey as a young boy in Montreal, San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic was different from most of the other kids on the ice, who loved scoring goals and racking up points.

Vlasic produced plenty of points, but what drove him was his absolute hatred for giving up goals.

"I wasn't big on points," Vlasic said after a morning skate at SAP Center. "I did get a lot growing up, but I remember between 7 and 11 or maybe even earlier that that, every time I was on the ice for a goal against I'd cry because I hate being minus. I was big on making sure that didn't happen. It's still big for me."

He doesn't cry as much these days, but not much else has changed in Vlasic's approach to the game. He still despises giving up goals.

Why the Kings will win the Stanley Cup

Monday, 04.14.2014 / 12:50 AM / Sharks vs Kings - 2014 SCP First Round

Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer

The Los Angeles Kings were overwhelmed by the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference Final last season. They couldn't compete with Chicago's skill and didn't have enough firepower to match the Blackhawks, especially with Mike Richards missing three games because of a head injury.

Jonathan Quick and L.A.'s defense didn't bend much, but without enough offensive support, Chicago eventually extinguished the Kings from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a five-game series, including a double-overtime Game 5.

That won't happen to the Kings this spring, not against Chicago or any team. Los Angeles is the best possession team in the NHL, as deep as anyone down the middle, and is backed by a world-class goaltender. That hat trick of attributes will lead the Kings to their second Stanley Cup championship in three years.

X-Factor: Changes in Martinez's game pays dividends

Monday, 04.14.2014 / 12:45 AM / Sharks vs Kings - 2014 SCP First Round

Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer

A minor change in Alec Martinez's mindset coming out of the break for the 2014 Sochi Olympics led to a major breakthrough in his game, lifting the Los Angeles Kings defenseman into a more prominent role heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Alec Martinez
Defense - LAK
GOALS: 11 | ASST: 11 | PTS: 22
SOG: 79 | +/-: 17
"It's no secret that teams are focused on blocking shots and guys are really good at it, so as defensemen we had to focus on getting more shots through," Martinez told NHL.com. "I've just been trying to get 'em to the net. With our style of play, the forwards get in on the forecheck and you want to grind teams down, so if we can make that low-to-high play and get that shot through we can create some scoring opportunities."

Doughty's all-round game key to Kings' success

Monday, 04.14.2014 / 12:40 AM / Sharks vs Kings - 2014 SCP First Round

Curtis Zupke - NHL.com Correspondent

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter was talking to reporters after the morning skate March 29 when Drew Doughty walked past the scrum.

Dressed in shorts, t-shirt and a cap turned backward, the smiling Doughty turned to Sutter just before he ducked out the door.

"See you tomorrow!" Doughty said.

"See you tonight," Sutter said.

Doughty was joking, of course. But he could have shown up for that night's game, played more than 25 minutes and never had to consult with Sutter. Doughty is a Sutter favorite and needs little coaching in this, perhaps the finest all-around season of his young career.

That's saying something for a player whose resume already includes a Stanley Cup title and two Olympic gold medals. Doughty turned 24 in December and begins a quest for a second Cup ring when the Kings play the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference First Round. There is also a possible trip to the NHL Awards show in June.

Sharks, Kings are very familiar playoff foes

Sunday, 04.13.2014 / 9:23 PM / Sharks vs Kings - 2014 SCP First Round

The Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks met last season in the Western Conference Semifinals, with the Kings advancing.

They meet again in the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Last season, the teams played a classic seven-game series. The Kings may have advanced, but overcoming the mental and physical fatigue that set in during the course of the grinding, tight and low-scoring victory was too difficult for the Kings.

In the series, the teams played five games decided by one goal, including one in overtime. Games 6 and 7 finished with 2-1 scores with the Kings benefitting from home-ice advantage to win Game 7.

Why the Sharks will win the Stanley Cup

Sunday, 04.13.2014 / 7:35 PM / Sharks vs Kings - 2014 SCP First Round

Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

The San Jose Sharks rocketed out of the gate this season, but that's nothing new. It's carrying that strong play through 82 games as well as two months in the Stanley Cup Playoffs which has been the issue.

But there's something different about this Sharks team. After their 10-1-1 start this season, it never really let up. That kind of staying power through the regular season should carry into the postseason. And that's why, after nine straight seasons of banging on the door, this is the year the Sharks kick it open and win the Stanley Cup.

The Sharks feature one of the deepest, most-skilled forward groups in the League. Joe Thornton, 34, remains the linchpin, centering the top line and producing at his usual top-end level.

X-Factor: Hertl's return adds explosiveness to Sharks

Sunday, 04.13.2014 / 7:30 PM / Sharks vs Kings - 2014 SCP First Round

Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

The San Jose Sharks obviously were hoping they'd found a gem in Czech forward Tomas Hertl when he was selected at No. 17 in the 2012 NHL Draft.

And they weren't disappointed when he made the opening-night roster this season at age 19. He scored six goals in his first three games, including a dazzling four-goal game against the New York Rangers on Oct. 8; he was the youngest player since Jimmy Carson in 1988 to score four in a game.

"He just thinks the game at a higher level," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson told USA Today earlier this season. "He's a pretty well-rounded player. He plays in all three zones. He's defensively aware; he's got the sense to play with some high-end players."

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