San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings: Preview and Prediction for Game 7

The tough and entertaining second-round series between the Sharks and the Kings is going the distance.

Tuesday night, these two teams will meet one final time this season. The winners will move on to the conference final while the losers head to the golf course to begin their summer vacation.

This conference semifinal has been a battle so far, with the home team winning each of the first six games.

Game 7 is set for the Staples Center in Los Angeles Tuesday night, winner take all.

Here is a look at the key points for the contest, along with my prediction for the outcome.

Feel free to mention your prediction, but don't just give us a winner and a score, mention why you think your pick will win and what the key difference-maker will be.

Home Ice

Thus far, it's almost like two different series. In San Jose, the Sharks have outscored the Kings 6-3, while in Los Angeles, the Kings own a 9-3 goal advantage in their three wins.

Even in the regular season, the teams split their four games, with the home team winning each time.

Home-ice advantage also gives the Kings the last change, giving Kings coach Darryl Sutter the potential for matchup advantage.

It goes without saying that in an even series, playing home can make a big difference. It certainly gives the Kings a clear edge heading into Game 7.

The Power Play

The power play has been a key in this series. The Sharks' power play in particular has been radically different depending on the venue.

At home, the Sharks are 4-of-12 with the man advantage, a 33.3 percent conversion rate. In Los Angeles, however, the Sharks are 0-of-10 on the power play.

Thus another advantage the Kings have heading into the series-decider.

Goaltending

Both goalies have been outstanding throughout the playoffs.

Antti Niemi and Jonathan Quick have both won Stanley Cups—Niemi in 2010 with the Blackhawks and Quick with the Kings last season. Quick also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP last year.

While it's been very close, Quick has a slight edge statistically in this series thus far. The Sharks have taken more shots in the first six games (179-155), while the Kings have scored more goals (12-9).

In addition, Quick has posted a pair of shutouts, whereas in all three Sharks victories, Niemi has held the Kings to one-goal contests.

It's pretty even in the battle between these two in net, but I will give a very slight edge to Quick.

Key Players

The Kings have spread out their scoring in this series.

Four players have scored a pair of goals in the first six games for Los Angeles: Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Dustin Brown and Slava Voynov.

For San Jose, Logan Couture remains a big key to their attack, as does Joe Thornton, Dan Boyle, Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau.

As for an unsung hero in this series, Rob Scuderi of the Kings is a plus-five over the first six games, the best of any player on either team.

Meanwhile, defenseman Brad Stuart has a goal and an assist and is a plus-two, tied for the best mark on San Jose. Stuart has also added an important physical element to the Sharks lineup and plays important minutes as well.

Intangibles

The Kings have to have a slight edge because they are the defending Stanley Cup champions and have the confidence and experience it takes to win it all.

The Sharks, on the other hand, have never advanced beyond the Western Conference Finals in their history and have a reputation for being playoff disappointments.

However, in Game 7s, the Sharks are 5-2 all time, including a win in their only game under Todd McLellan. The Kings are 3-4 in Game 7, while Darryl Sutter is 3-3 in his coaching career.

This postseason, road teams have won two of three Game 7s so far. The Rangers beat Washington and Detroit defeated Anaheim, while Boston won at home over Toronto.

Overall, however, home teams are 48-21 in the playoffs this year and 18-4 in Round 2.

Oh, and one more thing that may figure into this equation: The team that scored the first goal has won all six games in this series.

Prediction

These two teams are evenly matched, but the Kings will play at home, have a slight edge in goaltending and experience, and are a more physical team (they have outhit the Sharks 256-191 thus far).

These slight advantages are enough to make the Kings the favorite to move on.

Prediction: Kings 3, Sharks 1, with an empty-net goal in the final minute being the clincher.