Scoring Chances: Game 24 vs. Los Angeles

Our look at the head-to-head, team totals and on-ice scoring chances from the Sharks' 3-2 shootout win over Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

Complete scoring chance summary

On-ice scoring chances for and against

Team scoring chance totals

Head-to-head scoring chances

• I wasn't able to watch or track the game live so a huge thanks to Nick of Jewels From The Crown for sharing his data.
• This is about as even a game as it gets in the NHL. Both teams generated 40 shots, 15 even-strength scoring chances and two goals apiece through regulation before an eight-round shootout was decided by one extra Antti Niemi save. I'm obviously biased but I don't think there's a better rivalry in the league right now. It helps that these are two of the, at worst, five best teams in the NHL. Barring a first-round upset, it's going to be a fun Pacific Division Final this May.
• San Jose outshot Los Angeles 28-23 at even-strength when the score was close last night. That marks the first time the Sharks have done that to the Kings in a regular season game during the Jeff Carter Era.
• Surprise, surprise, the Hannan/Stuart pairing was an unmitigated train wreck with far and away the worst scoring chance and shot attempt differentials on the team's blueline despite the easiest usage in terms of zone starts, matchups and teammates (they spent over half their ice time being dragged around by the Thornton line). I have no idea why the coaching staff is still convinced pairing these two is ever a good idea. It isn't even like they're keeping pucks out of the net.
  
• On the bright side, Matt Irwin's return to the lineup after sitting out an extended slate of games as a healthy scratch went a lot better than the last time he got that opportunity. He and Boyle were largely kept away from the Kopitar line but killed it against the remainder of the Kings' lineup. I don't want to read too much into one game but Irwin's gap control while defending against the rush, which plagued him last season (a couple of times against the Kings in that playoff series, particularly), appeared to be noticeably improved in this one.
• How about the fourth line? They obviously aren't being deployed in difficult situations but this is the second game in a row they've crushed the minutes they received. I'm not sure how long they can keep this up but it sure would be nice if it can last until Raffi Torres returns.