Thomas Greiss Autographed Card

Here's what I predicted for the second-round series between the Stanley Cup champions Los Angeles Kings and fellow Californians San Jose Sharks earlier this week:

I don't make the rules, they're just there: The Sharks shall not win a Cup. And who better to knock them out than the reigning Cup champs? L.A. is the better team, with the better goalie, the better defense, the best offense, the best captain... but since emotions are high in this new Battle Of California, I think the Sharks could take a couple of games. Though I wouldn't be surprised to see the Kings sweep. Kings in 6.

Well, after their come-from-behind win tonight, trailing by one with a minute left and still winning in overtime, the Kings might, indeed, sweep. And I know that Antti Niemi was one of the best goalies in the league all season long, but sometimes you need an electroshock to spark your team, so maybe Todd McLellan will have to resort to employing Thomas Greiss at some point...

Greiss has been ok when used, with a career record of 16-12-3 with a 2.52 GAA and .911 save % in the regular season, and no decision in the playoffs, two goals against in two periods, for a 3.00 GAA and a spectacular .929 save percentage. He has represented Germany 8 times so far, including three in 2006 alone (World Juniors, Olympics, and World Championships). He has won his only game against L.A., stopping all 6 six shots he faced in 24 minutes of play in a 3-2 victory.

I got him to sign this 2007-08 Between The Pipes card (#51 in the set, the Future Stars sub-set) from In The Game in thin blue sharpie in December 2010, when the Sharks came to the Bell Centre (the Habs won):

It shows him playing for the Worcester Sharks, San Jose's AHL affiliate.