Scouting the Sharks

This is the sixth and final meeting of the season between the Kings and the San Jose Sharks. So far, the Kings have two regulation wins while the Sharks have one regulation win and two shootout wins. In the season series, that’s six points for each team, and the goal totals have been just as tight. The Kings have outscored the Sharks by a combined margin of 15-14, but that includes two “bonus’’ goals for the Sharks in their shootout wins. The matchup in goal will be the same as Thursday in Los Angeles, with Jonathan Quick facing Antti Niemi and both goalies hoping for better outings. For San Jose, Michal Handzus will replace Torrey Mitchell, who suffered an injury Thursday after being hit by Colin Fraser. The winner of tonight’s game is assured at least a seventh-place finish in the Western Conference, and could finish third if Phoenix stumbles against Minnesota. For the latest on the Sharks, check out the coverage from the San Jose Mercury News, followed by the possible lineups for the Kings and the Sharks…

San Jose Mercury News’ Sharks coverage

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KINGS LINEUP
Brad Richardson-Anze Kopitar-Dustin Brown
Dwight King-Mike Richards-Justin Williams
Dustin Penner-Jarret Stoll-Trevor Lewis
Kyle Clifford-Colin Fraser-Jordan Nolan

Rob Scuderi-Drew Doughty
Willie Mitchell-Slava Voynov
Alec Martinez-Matt Greene

Jonathan Quick
Jonathan Bernier

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SHARKS LINEUP
Patrick Marleau-Joe Thornton-Joe Pavelski
Ryane Clowe-Logan Couture-Martin Havlat
T.J. Galiardi-Michal Handzus-Dominic Moore
Tommy Wingels-Andrew Desjardins-Daniel Winnik

Marc-Edouard Vlasic-Dan Boyle
Colin White-Brent Burns
Jason Demers-Justin Braun

Antii Niemi
Thomas Greiss