San Jose Sharks Set to Drop Puck Against Kings

The Sharks-Kings season opener at Staples Center was billed as a clash between two rival clubs that were both not pleased with finishing outside of the playoffs last spring.

San Jose Sharks’ Joe Pavelski, left, celebrates his goal with Joe Thornton as Los Angeles Kings’ Dustin Brown, right, skates past them during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, October 7, 2015, in Los Angeles. Pavelski will not have to worry about dealing with Raffi Torres, who received a 41-game suspension for delivering a hit to the head of Anaheim’s Jakob Silfverberg in a preseason contest.ABOUT THE KINGS (40-27-15, 4TH IN PACIFIC): Los Angeles begins its quest for a third Cup in five years without several key pieces from its first two championship teams as 2014 Conn Smythe Trophy victor Justin Williams, Mike Richards and Jarret Stoll have moved on.

He gave himself a few time to rest after the Kings’ season ended with a meaningless victory April 11 over the Sharks.

Brown blasted Couture with an aggressive, open-ice check during the first period, but Couture stayed in the game despite a cut on his nose from Brown’s helmet. Additionally, starting Opening Night, there will be a Kings Care Foundation Moment during each game highlighting the important work of local organizations. “It was just monotonous”. He dropped weight, arriving at training camp healthier and in better shape than in past years. While it’s true that the Sharks didn’t allow too many premium scoring chances against for the duration of the game, Jones showed why management invested so much to acquire his services.

I honestly didn t think he was going to come all the way, Couture said of Lucic.

Goaltender Jonathan Quick changed his diet, worked out harder and dropped weight. Eight straight home losses in February derailed San Jose’s season a year ago and DeBoer has talked about re-establishing that home dominance. “I don t know why it was called a match penalty”, Lucic told reporters after. “Part of it is a byproduct of having a long summer and being able to do everything. He’s going to be the same guy, that’s what we expect”.

“It’s more the nutritional side of it, learning about it and educating myself about it. Getting help, really”.

Coach Peter DeBoer on his plans for this season: “We’re not… There’s a lot of things we could pinpoint tonight”.

“I just finished my check”.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jones.

The Sharks were absent from the playoffs last season for the first time since 2002-03, finishing 12th in the Western Conference with 89 points. “To go into it based upon someone’s play as a backup on a very strong defensive team like the Kings, I think that leaves you susceptible”.

“I thought we did a good job bouncing back”, Jones said.

“Then you have the idea of what you need to do better”. Ward has played in 517 National Hockey League games for the Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, and, most recently, the Washington Capitals.