The San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings meet up again tonight in the NHL Playoffs for the third game of their series. The Stanley Cup Playoff Odds for the game have the Kings favored in this contest as they look to get back into the series.

Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds

This series has been one of the best to watch as the two rivals are battling it out on the ice out West. The Sharks have picked up victories in each of the first two games, however, out-scoring Los Angeles 13-5 so far in the opening two games. Jonathan Quick is one of the best goalies in the league but he has looked very pedestrian against a bunch of professionals in the opening two games. How will Quick and the Kings respond to being at home? Quick has a 7.22 goals against average in the opening two games and has struggled to stop just 82 percent of the San Jose shots on goal.

Antti Niemi has stopped 92 percent of the Los Angeles shots and has helped the Sharks get out to an early lead by winning both games at home. 

San Jose is playing very well right now, showcasing their speed on the ice and looking like a team hungry to get to the next round of the NHL Playoffs. The Kings are loaded with guys that have been on Stanley Cup champion teams and they have a veteran roster that isn't going to panic just yet. Los Angeles was in this same position last year, down 0-2 in the opening round of the playoffs. But both of those games were one-goal defeats to St. Louis, they weren't getting blown out. 

There's a lot to figure out and fix for the Kings. They are looking to move past the opening two beatdowns and get a victory in this contest tonight. If they are able to win, they'll be playing in a Game 4 where they can hold serve on home ice. Los Angeles has been a dominant team against San Jose at the Staples Center, going 10-0-1 against the Sharks in the last three years overall. In last year's second-round playoff series against the Sharks, LA went on to win all four games at home.

Los Angeles surrendered the least amount of goals this year by an NHL team. The two losses to the Sharks, however, saw them give up the most goals all year. The Kings hadn't given up 13 goals in consecutive games since December 2010. 

Trevor Lewis has scored twice for the Kings and Jeff Carter has assisted on a pair of tallies, but the Kings are going to have to score more in this game. Los Angeles is too good of a team to get swept in this series and tonight is the night they need to get a victory. We think they'll get it done.

Free Pick: Los Angeles 3, San Jose 2

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