The NHL All-Star Game is set for later this month (January 29th at STAPLES Center), and there are a pair of players who made names for themselves when they laced up their skates for each club.
This All-Star Game marks the third time that Los Angeles has hosted the midseason exhibition, but the Kings aren't the only team from California to host the All-Star Game. The Sharks held that honor in 1997 and were represented by former King and then-Shark Tony Granato.
Classic All-Star Intros: Western Conference 1997 All-Star Game
There have been many players who have played for both the Kings and the Sharks over the years, but only a few were named to All-Star teams.
Granato scored 148 goals and 305 points in 380 games while with the Kings, and he played a huge role on the Gretzky-era Kings. Acquired along with Tomas Sandstrom from the NY Rangers in 1990, Granato immediately became fan favorite and was honored with a Legends Night in 2015.
Legends Night - Tony Granato Tribute Video
Coincidentally, Bernie Nicholls, the player traded to the Rangers for Granato and Sandstrom, was another All-Star who played for both the Kings and Sharks.
Nicholls, another fan favorite in Los Angeles, was also honored with a Legends Night at STAPLES Center.
Legends Night - Bernie Nicholls Tribute
Each of the players enjoyed huge success while with the Kings, but neither finished their careers in Los Angeles. Instead, both Nicholls and Granato finished their careers in San Jose.
Bernie Nicholls and Tony Granato on Sharks
While Granato represented the Sharks when they hosted the All-Star Game, Nicholls represented the Kings all three times he was named to the All-Star Team. In his first appearance in 1984, he played alongside Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson.
Nicholls and Granato aren't the only All-Stars to have played for both the Sharks and Kings but they are a perfect representation of how intertwined the hockey world can be and how many different forms greatness can take within it.
Now, back to the animosity.
LA Kings vs San Jose Sharks
First Game in San Jose
November 19, 1991
LAK 3 - SJS 2 OT
Most Recent Matchup vs. Sharks in San Jose
October 12th, 2016
LAK 1 - SJS 2
Los Angeles Kings vs San Jose Sharks opening night 2016
Most Recent Matchup vs. Sharks
December 31st, 2016
LAK 3 - SJS 2
San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings New Year's Eve 2016
All-Time Record vs. San Jose Sharks
63-62-7-12
395 Goals For - 425 Goals Allowed
All-Time Record against Sharks at SAP Center
19-33-3-9
159 Goals For - 203 Goals Allowed
Kings Leading Scorers vs. Sharks
Anze Kopitar - 47 points (15-32=47) in 61 games
Dustin Brown - 38 points (17-21=38) in 70 games
Sharks Leading Scorers vs. Kings
Patrick Marleau - 88 points (39-49=88) in 106 games
Joe Thornton - 65 points (15-50=65) in 69 games
Familiar Faces
Martin Jones
