The prevailing opinion in San Jose.
San Jose, CA
Wow, whoa, WTF? Sharks and Kings faced off in Game 2 of their divisional series last night in San Jose and things started off badly for the home team as the Kings scored twice in the first despite being outshot by the Sharks. J. Quick had to come up with ten very difficult saves as LA took a 2-0 lead into the second.
Sharks energy line scored early in the second as Mike Brown and Raffi Torres tallied for the home team. These would be the first two of SEVEN unanswered goals for San Jose as they pounded LA to take a 2-0 series lead, and won going away 7-2.
Sharks coach Todd McClellan showed his coaching prowess and took advantage of San Jose’s depth on the forward lines by dropping the Big Pavelski from his usual spot on the 1st line wing to 3rd line center and the Kings had no answer for the offensive onslaught.
Tomas Hertl, the rookie sensation was inserted onto the top line and presented matchup difficulties for the Kings defense, although he didn’t end up on the score sheet. The rest of the lines did though, as seven different Sharks scored on this year’s Jennings Trophy winner. I wondered why Dour Darryl Sutter left Quick in when the game got out of reach for Los Angeles.
Another intriguing fact is that six of the seven goals were at even strength as the Sharks went 1-6 on the power play. San Jose pummeled Quick with forty shots and the hitting trend in the series continued with both teams combining for almost 100 hits for the second straight game.
Kings get their hopes up with an early lead at the Shark Tank.
Then, the roof fell in on LA as J. Quick was lit up for seven, making it 12 goals in 2 games. They only got 10 goals in last year’s fiercely competitive series, losing in 7 games to LA. The Kings had no answer for Los Tiburones speed, as they gave up odd man rushes consistently, hanging Quickie out to dry.
The Big Pavelski roofs one against J. Quick. He would not display much quickness on Sunday night, allowing 7 goals on 40 shots.
The series moves to LA on Tuesday night, for many more intriguing plot lines which I will be sure to point out.
Moving Back Out East way, Philly came into the series with a three YEAR losing streak at Madison Square Garden. After 9 straight losses to the Rangers in New York, things began badly for the Flyboys as they went down 2-0 to start the game. Martin St. Louis and Benoit Pouliot scored and the Flyers looked to headed for yet another loss.
Jake Voracek started the Flyers comeback with a great individual effort off of a pass from Scott Hartnell, beating Lundquist stick side with a beauty of backhand. Jason Akeson would gain redemption by scoring the Flyers second goal, after taking the 4 minute minor in Game 1 that led to two goals for the Rangers.
D Luke Schenn would score the game winner as Philly brought there big bodied defensemen into the play in the second and continued the trend in the third. Braden Coburn, Schenn and Andrew MacDonald jumped up into the play often to provide more of an offensive spark for the Flyers, who were seriously lacking in O chances in Game 1. Ray Emery was stellar, garnering the #1 Star. Back to Philly for Game 3 on Tuesday.
Luke Schenn scores the game winning goal on Sunday in New York.