The San Jose Sharks are taking on the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the 2011 NHL Playoffs. It will be the first time the two teams meet in the playoffs, and the first battle between California teams in quite some time. They'll get things kicked off on Thursday, April 14th at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. The full schedule for the Sharks' quarterfinal matchups against the Kings is below (Sharks times in pacific, rest are eastern):
#2 San Jose Sharks Quarterfinal Series Versus #7 Los Angeles Kings
Thursday, April 14th at San Jose, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 16th at San Jose, 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 19th at Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 21st at Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m.
*Saturday, April 23rd at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.
*Monday, April 25th at Los Angeles, TBD
*Wednesday, April 27th at San Jose, TBD
The asterisks obviously denote games that may or may not need to be played, as it's first to four, as always. What immediately comes to mind is the fact that Justin Williams may have a chance to recover in time to play game one for the Kings, and he is definitely a factor. Expect breakdowns of each game prior to their airing, any pertinent news, and of course recaps following the game. The rest of the quarterfinals are below:
Western Conference
#1 Vancouver Canucks vs. #8 Chicago Blackhawks
Wednesday, April 13 at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m.
Friday, April 15 at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 17 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 19 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m.
*Thursday, April 21 at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m.
*Sunday, April 24 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m.
*Tuesday, April 26 at Vancouver, TBD
#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #7 Los Angeles Kings
Thursday, April 14th at San Jose, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 16th at San Jose, 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 19th at Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 21st at Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m.
*Saturday, April 23rd at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.
*Monday, April 25th at Los Angeles, TBD
*Wednesday, April 27th at San Jose, TBD
#3 Detroit Red Wings vs. #6 Phoenix Coyotes
Wednesday, April 13 at Detroit, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 16 at Detroit, 1:00 p.m.
Monday, April 18 at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 20 at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.
*Friday, April 22 at Detroit, 7:00 p.m.
*Sunday, April 24 at Phoenix, TBD
*Wednesday, April 27 at Detroit, TBD
#4 Anaheim Ducks vs. #5 Nashville Predators
Wednesday, April 13 at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.
Friday, April 15 at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 17 at Nashville, TBD
Wednesday, April 20 at Nashville, TBD
*Friday, April 22 at Anaheim, 10:00 p.m.
*Sunday, April 24 at Nashville, TBD
*Tuesday, April 26 at Anaheim, TBD
Eastern Conference
#1 Washington Capitals vs. #8 New York Islanders
Wednesday, April 13 at Washington, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 15 at Washington, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 17 at New York, 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 20 at New York, 7:00 p.m.
*Saturday, April 23 at Washington, 3:00 p.m.
*Monday, April 25 at New York, TBD
*Wednesday, April 27 at Washington, TBD
#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #7 Buffalo Sabres
Thursday, April 14 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 16 at Philadelphia, 5:00 p.m.
Monday, April 18 at Buffalo, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 20 at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.
*Friday, April 22 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
*Sunday, April 24 at Buffalo, 3:00 p.m.
*Tuesday, April 26 at Philadelphia, TBD
#3 Boston Bruins vs. #6 Montreal Candiens
Thursday, April 14 at Boston, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 16 at Boston, 7:00 p.m.
Monday, April 18 at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 21 at Montreal, 7:00 p.m.
*Saturday, April 23 at Boston, 7:00 p.m.
*Tuesday, April 26 at Montreal, TBD
*Wednesday, April 27 at Boston, TBD
#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning
Wednesday, April 13 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 15 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.
Monday, April 18 at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 20 at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.
*Saturday, April 23 at Pittsburgh, TBD
*Monday, April 25 at Tampa Bay, TBD
*Wednesday, April 27 at Pittsburgh, TBD