The Los Angeles Kings look to rebound from their crushing loss on Tuesday night, and hope to even their first-round NHL playoff series with the San Jose Sharks Thursday night at Staples Center. The Kings were up 4-0 early in the second period of Game 3, but gave that lead back before the third period began, and eventually lost in overtime. Tonight's 7:30 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Prime Ticket.
"The bottom line, in the playoffs, is that we embarrassed ourselves," coach Terry Murray told NHL.com on Wednesday. "We played a terrible game. Now what you have to do is, how do you deal with that kind of performance? We have to bounce back tomorrow and we have to play our best game. It's as simple as that.
Quisp of Jewels From The Crown stressed the importance of defense in Game 4 for the Kings:
If you break-down defensively, the Sharks will make you pay. That's what superior firepower gets you. Given the same defensive break-downs, the Sharks will finish more of them than the Kings would. This is why it's important to focus on being air-tight defensively. This is why a wide-open game benefits San Jose, HUGELY.
For more news and information on the Kings, or this first-round matchup with the Sharks, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Jewels From The Crown.