The case for watchingwhat the numbers say before the start
No line yet; the teams' points per game make Sharks about 55% to win, counting games settled after regulation. That is closer than 72% of the NHL games we have scored this season.
There is no goals line yet; the two teams' scoring rates point to about 6.1.
Kings are 29th and Sharks 22nd in the league-wide standings.
By rating, Sharks are the stronger side, narrowly.
A rivalry: a minor rivalry in our table, worth 5 points of the score.
Worth the replay so far this season: Kings 2 of 9 games, Sharks 4 of 11.
Puck drop: Thu 05:00 in Finland, Thu 04:00 in Sweden and Germany, Thu 03:00 in the UK, Wed 22:00 in New York.