PREMIUM
Rogers' TOTAL DOMINATION >> WON Last 3 NHL Totals!
(NHL) San Jose vs. Los Angeles,
Total: 5.50 | -140.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 5.50 | -140.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The San Jose Sharks completed a 1-2-2 road trip before making a brief 'pit stop' at home by outlasting Arizona 6-5 in overtime at SAP Center on Saturday. The 22-13-6 Sharks head back out on the road Monday, as they begin a three-game road trip against the 24-14-5 Los Angeles Kings. The Kings have 53 points to the Sharks' 50 but enter this contest on a three-game losing streak after Saturday's 4-2 setback against Anaheim. That dropped them to 0-2-0 on their four-game homestand. Jonathan Quick has allowed 11 goals during the team's three-game skid.
San Jose: Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored the winner 2:42 into the extra session while Joonas Donskoi recorded two goals, including the game-tying tally with 16 seconds remaining in the third period. He also added an assist to lead four players with three-point performances for the Sharks, who halted their three-game slide (0-1-2). Joe Thornton recorded a goal and two assists Saturday, moving him one point ahead of Adam Oates (1,420) for 17th place on the all-time list. Reigning Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns, who leads the team with 33 points, has landed on the scoresheet in 13 of his last 15 contests, recording seven multi-point performances in that span. He will carry a five-game point streak (one goal, seven assists) into Monday's matchup.
Los Angeles: The Kings trailed 3-0 early in the third period and rallied to within one score on goals by centers Anze Kopitar and Nick Shore but could not get equalizer against Anaheim goaltender John Gibson It was the team's third straight loss and the sixth of its last 10 (4-4-2). LA head coach John Stevens spoke about the Kings' uneven play after the loss to Anaheim, saying he needs more from the entire roster.
"Our top guys have been really good for us," Stevens said. "I think they really carry the message for the hockey team as you would want as a coach. We just need some of our younger generation guys to just take a little more bite in games unlike the game tonight." The Kings are hoping to improve their play inside the division, as well as against the Western Conference, something they will need to do if they are to return to the postseason after missing the playoffs last year. Los Angeles plays 28 of its last 39 games against the West (15 against Pacific opponents, 13 against Central) and has a 5-6-3 record against Pacific opposition and 9-9-3 against all Western teams.
The pick: The Sharks are looking for their third consecutive win over the Kings. San Jose dropped a 2-1 decision in Los Angeles on Oct. 7 but rallied for a 2-1 win on Nov. 12 at Staples Center and a 2-0 victory on Dec. 23 at HP Pavilion. After three tight, low-scoring games, look for that to change in this one. San Jose goaltender Martin Jones was pulled Saturday after allowing three goals on six shots, but is expected to be in net against the Kings (bad news for San Jose). As noted above, LA's Jonathan Quick has allowed 11 goals during the team's three-game skid and a loss here would match the longest of the season for Los Angeles. Staying away from calling for that but I will make the Over an 8* play.
San Jose: Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored the winner 2:42 into the extra session while Joonas Donskoi recorded two goals, including the game-tying tally with 16 seconds remaining in the third period. He also added an assist to lead four players with three-point performances for the Sharks, who halted their three-game slide (0-1-2). Joe Thornton recorded a goal and two assists Saturday, moving him one point ahead of Adam Oates (1,420) for 17th place on the all-time list. Reigning Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns, who leads the team with 33 points, has landed on the scoresheet in 13 of his last 15 contests, recording seven multi-point performances in that span. He will carry a five-game point streak (one goal, seven assists) into Monday's matchup.
Los Angeles: The Kings trailed 3-0 early in the third period and rallied to within one score on goals by centers Anze Kopitar and Nick Shore but could not get equalizer against Anaheim goaltender John Gibson It was the team's third straight loss and the sixth of its last 10 (4-4-2). LA head coach John Stevens spoke about the Kings' uneven play after the loss to Anaheim, saying he needs more from the entire roster.
"Our top guys have been really good for us," Stevens said. "I think they really carry the message for the hockey team as you would want as a coach. We just need some of our younger generation guys to just take a little more bite in games unlike the game tonight." The Kings are hoping to improve their play inside the division, as well as against the Western Conference, something they will need to do if they are to return to the postseason after missing the playoffs last year. Los Angeles plays 28 of its last 39 games against the West (15 against Pacific opponents, 13 against Central) and has a 5-6-3 record against Pacific opposition and 9-9-3 against all Western teams.
The pick: The Sharks are looking for their third consecutive win over the Kings. San Jose dropped a 2-1 decision in Los Angeles on Oct. 7 but rallied for a 2-1 win on Nov. 12 at Staples Center and a 2-0 victory on Dec. 23 at HP Pavilion. After three tight, low-scoring games, look for that to change in this one. San Jose goaltender Martin Jones was pulled Saturday after allowing three goals on six shots, but is expected to be in net against the Kings (bad news for San Jose). As noted above, LA's Jonathan Quick has allowed 11 goals during the team's three-game skid and a loss here would match the longest of the season for Los Angeles. Staying away from calling for that but I will make the Over an 8* play.
