History of Kings–Sharks rivalry in Timeline

The Kings–Sharks rivalry is an NHL ice hockey rivalry fueled by the proximity of Los Angeles and San Jose, mirroring other LA-Bay Area sports rivalries. Existing since the Sharks' debut in 1991-92, it intensified in the 2010s with frequent playoff matchups. Both teams were in the Smythe Division from 1991 to 1993 and have been in the Pacific Division ever since. The rivalry's peak saw the Kings and Sharks meeting four times in the playoffs within six years, and both one of the teams appeared in six of seven conference finals from 2010 to 2016.

1942: Historical Comeback

In 2014, The Los Angeles Kings became just the fourth team to win a series after being down 3-0. One of the others was the 1942 Maple Leafs.

1975: Historical Comeback

In 2014, The Los Angeles Kings became just the fourth team to win a series after being down 3-0. One of the others was the 1975 Islanders.

1991: First Games

From 1991, the Kings and Sharks began their series of games against each other.

1991: Sharks Begin Play

In 1991, the San Jose Sharks began play in the NHL and were placed in the same division as the Los Angeles Kings, marking the beginning of their rivalry.

1993: Playoff Spot Battle

During the 1993-94 season, the Kings, Sharks, and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim competed for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

1993: Continued Division Play

From 1991 to 1993, the Kings and Sharks played in the Smythe Division.

March 20, 1994: Wayne Gretzky Ties and Breaks NHL Goals Record

On March 20, 1994, during a Kings–Sharks game, Wayne Gretzky scored his 800th and 801st career goals, tying Gordie Howe's record and then surpassing it.

2003: Sharks Miss Playoffs

In 2015, San Jose failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

2004: Tie Games

From 1991 until the 2004-05 NHL lockout, the Kings and Sharks tied seven times.

2007: Kings Miss Playoffs After Stanley Cup Win

In 2015, The Los Angeles Kings failed to make the playoffs as well for only the second time in seven years becoming first team since the 2007 Hurricanes to miss the playoffs the year after winning the Stanley Cup.

2010: First Playoff Meeting

In 2010-11, the Kings and Sharks met in the playoffs for the first time. The Sharks won game one in overtime after goals by Dany Heatley, Logan Couture, Dustin Brown, and Justin Williams in regulation. Joe Pavelski scored the overtime goal.

2010: Flyers Comeback

In 2014, The Los Angeles Kings became just the fourth team to win a series after being down 3-0. One of the others was the 2010 Flyers, which included Los Angeles forwards Jeff Carter and Mike Richards.

2010: Rivalry Boiling Point

In the early-to-mid 2010s, the Kings–Sharks rivalry reached a boiling point.

April 4, 2011: Historical Game Wins

By April 4, 2011, San Jose had won 59 games against Los Angeles, while Los Angeles had won 50 games in the series.

2012: Kings Stanley Cup Victory

In 2012, the Kings won the Stanley Cup which they attempted to defend in 2013.

2013: Conference Semifinals Matchup

In the 2013 playoffs, the Kings and Sharks met in the conference semifinals as the fifth and sixth seeds. The Kings were defending their 2012 Stanley Cup victory.

2013: Pacific Division Standings

In the 2013-14 season, the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings finished second and third in the Pacific Division, respectively, leading to a playoff matchup.

2014: Kings Win Stanley Cup

In 2014, the Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup Final against the New York Rangers after defeating the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks in seven-game series.

2014: Kings Attempt 3-0 Comeback

In the 2016 playoffs, the Kings traveled to San Jose down 2-0 in the series and needed a win to stay alive, hoping for another 3-0 comeback like in 2014.

2014: Kings-Ducks Stadium Series

The Stadium Series game between the Kings and Sharks in 2015 was the second outdoor game played in California, following the Kings and Anaheim Ducks game at Dodger Stadium in 2014.

February 21, 2015: Stadium Series Game

On February 21, 2015, the Kings and Sharks played in the Stadium Series at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

2016: Conference Finals Appearances

From 2010 to 2016, either the Los Angeles Kings or the San Jose Sharks appeared in six of the seven conference finals.

2020: NHL Realignment

During the 2020-21 season, due to the NHL's realignment and division-only play because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sharks and Kings played each other eight times as part of the West Division.