Johnston: Beware of Sharks in second round
Ex-coach says San Jose gained confidence in first-round victory against Kings
by Shawn P, Roarke @sroarke_nhl / NHL.com Director of Editorial
For additional insight into the Western Conference First Round series between the Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks, NHL.com has enlisted the help of Mike Johnston to break down the action. Johnston will be checking in throughout the series.
Johnston, 59, was most recently the coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, compiling a 58-37-15 record during his tenure. He was coach and general manager of the Western Hockey League's Portland Winterhawks from 2008 to 2014. He also has been an assistant coach for the Kings and the Vancouver Canucks.
Five reasons the Kings were eliminated
Los Angeles could not recover from sputtering end to regular season, subpar play from stars
by Abbey Mastracco / NHL.com Correspondent
The Los Angeles Kings seemed destined to build a dynasty after winning the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014 and reaching the Western Conference Final the year in between. But since hoisting the Cup, the Kings have won one Stanley Cup Playoff game and have yet to follow up that illustrious three-year run.
The San Jose Sharks ended the Kings' 2016 postseason bid Friday in Los Angeles with a Game 5 victory, eliminating them 4-1 in the best-of-7 Western Conference First Round series.
Five reasons the Sharks advanced
Better defense, depth lifted San Jose past rival Los Angeles
by Eric Gilmore / NHL.com Correspondent
One season after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the San Jose Sharks have gotten some instant gratification, eliminating the Los Angeles Kings in five games in their best-of-7 Western Conference First Round series and advancing to the second round.
The Sharks, who defeated the Kings 6-3 in Game 5 at Staples Center on Friday, face the winner of the first-round series between the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators, which is tied 2-2.
Kings think Lecavalier 'can still kick around'
Success in Los Angeles may have put retirement in doubt
by Abbey Mastracco / NHL.com Correspondent
LOS ANGELES -- They said he was done. They said he was too old, too slow and ineffective.
But if you ask the Los Angeles Kings, they'll say that Vincent Lecavalier proved those doubters wrong.
'Donkey' carries Sharks into second round
Determined Donskoi helps San Jose eliminate Kings
by Shawn P. Roarke @sroarke_nhl / NHL.com Director of Editorial
LOS ANGELES -- San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi made the team this season by never taking no for an answer.
Friday at Staples Center, he made a name for himself by scoring the winning goal in a 6-3, Game 5 victory that put an emphatic end to the season of the rival Los Angeles Kings.
Instant analysis: Sharks vs. Kings, Game 5
Resiliency, power play, Jones help San Jose reach second round
by Shawn P. Roarke @sroarke_nhl / NHL.com Director of Editorial
SAN JOSE -- The San Jose Sharks ended the Western Conference First Round series against the Los Angeles Kings with a 6-3 win in Game 5 at Staples Center on Friday.
San Jose won the best-of-7 series 4-1. It lost seven-game series to Los Angeles in the 2013 and 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Sharks eliminate Kings with Game 5 victory
Donskoi scores twice, including winner at 3:58 of the third period
by Abbey Mastracco / NHL.com Correspondent
LOS ANGELES -- Joonas Donskoi scored twice, including the tiebreaking goal 3:58 into the third period, and the San Jose Sharks eliminated the Los Angeles Kings from the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 6-3 win in Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round at Staples Center on Friday.
San Jose won the best-of-7 series 4-1 and will play either the Anaheim Ducks or Nashville Predators in the Western Conference Second Round; the Ducks and Predators series is tied 2-2. The Sharks advanced past the first round for the first time since 2013; the Kings defeated the Sharks in the second round in 2013 and the first round in 2014.
Five keys for Sharks vs. Kings, Game 5
Forgetting past, trusting depth could help San Jose close out series
by Shawn P. Roarke @sroarke_nhl / NHL.com Director of Editorial
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks play Game 5 of their Western Conference First Round series Friday at Staples Center (10:30 p.m. ET; CNBC, CBC, TVA Sports, CSN-CA, PRIME).
The San Jose Sharks lead the series 3-1.
Here are five keys to Game 5:
Johnston: Kings can come back vs. Sharks
Ex-NHL coach says avoiding penalties is key for Los Angeles in Game 5
by Shawn P. Roarke @sroarke_nhl / NHL.com Director of Editorial
For additional insight into the Western Conference First Round series between the Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks, NHL.com has enlisted the help of Mike Johnston to break down the action. Johnston will be checking in throughout the series.
Johnston, 59, was most recently the coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, compiling a 58-37-15 record during his tenure. He was coach and general manager of the Western Hockey League's Portland Winterhawks from 2008 to 2014. He also has been an assistant coach for the Kings and the Vancouver Canucks.
Mike Johnston believes the Los Angeles Kings have a way back in their Western Conference First Round series against the San Jose Sharks, but they have to be disciplined to follow it.
Kings must stay out of box to stay alive
Los Angeles has to avoid penalties against Sharks in Game 5
by Abbey Mastracco / NHL.com Correspondent
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter guessed that everyone would want to talk about the San Jose Sharks power play on Thursday. He was correct.
That was understandable, coming one day after Los Angeles gave up three power-play goals in a 3-2 loss in Game 4 of the Western Conference First Round. But the Kings say the focus instead should be on 5-on-5 play and how evenly matched the teams have been at even strength in the best-of-7 series, which San Jose leads 3-1.