SAN JOSE -- The Sharks earned a new measure of respect around the NHL by beating the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs. But it would be a stretch to call the five-game series victory a really big upset.
Beating their other Pacific Division rival from the Southland, should that come to pass, might come a bit closer to fitting that description.The Sharks eliminated the Kings with their 6-3 victory in Game 5 on Friday, winning at Staples Center for the fifth straight time this season. They'll spend at least the next two days awaiting the winner of the series between the Anaheim Ducks and the Nashville Predators, with the second round likely to start near the end of the week.