Game 7's are one of the most exciting moments in sports and as the National Hockey League postseason continues to entertain, the L.A. Kings and San Jose Sharks will meet one final time to decide who advances to the Western Conference Finals.
Thanks to goals from veteran center Joe Thornton and 25-year-old winger TJ Gagliardi, San Jose slipped by the defending champions 2-1, forcing a Game 7 in Los Angeles. The winner of this series will begin preparations to face either Chicago or Detroit in the next round.
When and Where to Watch Game 7
While both the Blackhawks and Red Wings will play a Game 7 of their own, the series between San Jose and Los Angeles will culminate in a contest that should not disappoint.
The series finale is set for Tuesday, May 28 with the puck dropping at 9:00 pm, EDT. Television coverage will be provided by the NBC Sports Network, the TSN Network and RDS TV.
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Game 6 Recap
San Jose entered Game 6 in a 3-2 series hole and needed a swift start to give themselves confidence moving forward.
When Joe Thornton blasted one past Kings goalie Jonathan Quick six minutes into the opening period, San Jose was out to the fast start they hoped for and along with stellar net play from Antti Niemi, the Sharks were well on their way to forcing a decisive Game 7 in Los Angeles.
While the winning team in each of the six games throughout the series has scored the opening goal, Joe Thornton knew an early advantage may be enough to get the job done.
"It seems like whoever scores first wins the game," Thornton said to NHL reporters. "We did that. Just a huge game tonight."
The Sharks scored the first two goals of Game 6 and although Dustin Brown answered with 13:53 remaining in the second period, the San Jose defense never allowed L.A. to continue their second frame momentum, keeping their opponents off the scoreboard on their way to tying the series at three games apiece.
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Los Angeles has won 13 consecutive games at the Staples Center and knowing a win in the crucial Game 7 will bring them one step closer to their second-consecutive Stanley Cup Final, Kings captain Dustin Brown believes his team will be ready since many veteran players on the team have gone through pressure situations in the past.
"You've got guys that have played in an Olympic gold-medal game, which is probably the equivalent of a Game 7," Brown said to NHL.com. "Guys have experience in big games. You look at a group of our guys who have won world juniors and world championships and Olympics, those are Game 7's. It's a matter of using that experience and trying to get yourself ready."
Series Wrap-Up
Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski have been magnificent for San Jose this postseason, each with 11 points entering Tuesday night's Game 7. Add in the play of Antti Niemi and his 93 percent save number and it's no surprise that the Sharks are one win away from a trip to the Conference Finals.
While that trio for San Jose has been strong, the defending champion Kings are winning with balance. Mike Richards leads the team in postseason points with 10 (2 goals, 8 assists) and the consistent play of Jeff Carter, Anze Kopitar and goalie Jonathan Quick provide L.A. with timely scoring and efficient defense.
Quick is 7-5-2 between the pipes this postseason, allowing only 1.5 goals per game in the playoffs while stopping over 94 percent of the shots that come his way.
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If Jonathan Quick is at his best tonight, it could turn out to be a long contest for the Sharks, but while L.A. is expected to get a strong performance from their goalie, Antti Niemi certainly won't be forgotten by his teammates or the opponents.
A big time performance from both keepers in Tuesday's semifinal finale could make for one of the most entertaining hockey games all season.
Be sure to catch all the action on Tuesday, May 28 at 9:00 pm, EDT. Coverage will be provided by the NBC Sports Network, the TSN television network and RDS TV.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS From Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals:
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