The Sharks had the Kings on the ropes in the postseason a year ago. Now, San Jose is looking for revenge.
On Tuesday, April 22, the Sharks took a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the 2013-14 playoffs. But since that victory, everything has gone virtually south for San Jose, who coughed up that advantage, and then had one of the oddest summers in recent memory.
All the Kings did after April 22 was win the Stanley Cup.
Los Angeles begins its title defense Wednesday night in a rematch of last year's playoffs as they host the Sharks on banner night. And again, as has been the case for the past few years, both of these teams figure to be major players in the West.
For the defending champs, all but one player who was in the lineup for their decisive victory in the Stanley Cup Final returns. Only Willie Mitchell, now in Florida, is absent as the Kings attempt to become the first team to repeat as champion since the Red Wings in the late 90's. The only other change of sorts for Los Angeles is they'll get a full season of Marian Gaborik, a forward who was acquired at the trade deadline last year, and then led the playoffs in goal scoring.
For San Jose, there are significantly more question marks, the biggest of which may be who is the Sharks captain? Todd McLellan had his team enter training camp without anyone wearing the 'C,' while there's been no indication whether incumbent Joe Thornton will get the letter back.
Otherwise, for San Jose, this is still a very talented roster top-to-bottom, and a clear playoff team. Many of the same names that have made the Sharks so successful, like Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau, and Logan Couture are still there. Blue line staple Dan Boyle is gone, but the Sharks still will have the services of Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Jason Demers, and Justin Braun. San Jose will also be moving Brent Burns, a defenseman-turned-forward, back to defense, giving them a bit more depth in front of goaltender Antti Niemi.
This game is all about revenge. Perennial contenders, the Sharks have still yet to win a cup with this core of players, while last year's postseason exit may have been the most disappointing. Every time the Kings take the ice this season there will be a giant target on their backs, while the pregame ceremonies should be an unpleasant reminder to San Jose of what could have been.
San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings
10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
Staples Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
In the United States: NBCSN,NBCSports.com
In Canada: Sportsnet
More: Sharks blog | Kings blog