2013 Stanley Cup Playoff Odds and Picks: Western Conference Semifinals San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings Predictions

2013 Stanley Cup Playoff Odds and Picks: Western Conference Semifinals San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings Predictions: It is still early, but the Western Conference has been chalked full of upsets so far during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and a pair of lower seeds will meet in the semifinals when the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Kings meet the sixth-seeded San Jose Sharks. Granted, the defending champion Kings aren’t nearly the dark horses this year than they were last year when they went on to win the Stanley Cup as the No. 8 seed, but both teams will be looking to continue the trend of upset champions.

While they haven’t had the best run of luck in the postseason, San Jose ran into a Vancouver team in the first round with an even deeper history of laying down in the playoffs. As a result, the Sharks swept past the Canucks, looking impressive in the process. In fact, the first-round series exemplified the Sharks at their best as goalie Antti Niemi posted a rock solid 1.86 goals against average while offensive stalwarts Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, Joe Thorton and Patrick Marleau all averaged more than a point per game. Of course, San Jose’s issue all year has been consistency, and when the same offensive stars aren’t playing well, the Sharks have been very beatable.

After being offensively deprived during their title run last year, the Kings actually ranked in the top 10 in goals scored in 2013. Meanwhile star goaltender Jonathan Quick posted a pedestrian 2.45 goals against average after carrying Los Angeles during the 2012 postseason. Well, it appears the Kings may have reverted to the winning formula as the offense managed just 12 goals in six games against St. Louis in the first round while Quick posted a 1.58 goals against average against the Blues, allowing more than two goals in only one of the six games. Obviously, riding Quick proved successful last postseason, but then again, that wasn’t who the Kings were throughout the entire regular season. Heading into the semifinals it is still a bit unclear which Los Angeles team will show up.

The Sharks Win If:

If the Sharks are going to continue to erase their past playoff demons, they will have to put a ton of pressure on the Quick and Kings’ defense. San Jose averaged 36 shots per game against the Canucks last round, and the Sharks need to make Quick work as much possible over the course of this series. Meanwhile, Niemi needs to make sure that he doesn’t allow any soft goals that could serve as a jumpstart for a stagnant Los Angeles offense. If he makes the saves he should make, the Kings’ offense should be held in check. The Sharks have been the type of team that have been incredible when they are playing well and extremely vulnerable when they are slumping, but if San Jose can keep its offense rolling, the Sharks should be able to muster enough offense to get past the defending champs.

Check out current updated NHL playoff odds.

The Kings Win If:

If the Kings are going to repeat as Stanley Cup champs, they need to maintain the identity they showed in the first round against St. Louis and all of last year. Plain and simple, Quick needs to be a start between the pipes, allowing the Kings to take advantage of the experience they have when it comes to winning close games in pressure-packed situations. Offensively, the Kings need a little more production out of Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar, but they need to get a more shots on goal than the 24 per game they managed in the first round against St. Louis. San Jose has a quality goaltender in Niemi, but he has never been a superstar. If the Kings can manage to make him work a bit, they should light the lamp enough to support Quick. If  Los Angeles turns this series into a bunch of low-scoring, tight games, the championship poise of the Kings and play of Quick should see them through to the next round.

Bottom Line:

As hot as the Sharks are entering this series, it just hasn’t been uncommon for the flip to switch in the opposite direction just as quickly. More importantly, there is nothing like an excellent goaltender to induce an offensive drought, and Quick looked every bit the brick wall he was throughout the 2012 playoffs in the Kings’ first-round win over the Blues. Yes, Los Angeles needs to get a little more action on the offensive end of the ice, but St. Louis is one of the best defensive team and had a hot goaltender when the Kings faced the Blues in the previous round so that had something to do with the lack of scoring. Now, Los Angeles gets to face a San Jose team that has been known to suffer through slumps and has a history of struggling on the biggest stages. It doesn’t get much bigger than facing the defending champs in the postseason, and while the Sharks will win some games at home where they have been next to unbeatable this year, they won’t be able to steal the games in Los Angeles needed to advance. Quick and the Kings will march on.

Prediction: Los Angeles Kings Win in 6 Games

San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings Series Price
San Jose Sharks +125
Los Angeles Kings -145

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