Bay Area Buzz: Sharks Looks Sharper Than LA, Guide to Surviving Super Bowl L

May 21, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) celebrates with defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44) after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of game four of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

San Jose Sharks Look Sharper Than Los Angeles Kings Through Four Games

"To a man, players on the San Jose Sharks heading into Game 4 felt they had outplayed the Los Angeles Kings despite being down in the series.That’s fine and dandy, Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle said the other day, but unless it shows up on the scoreboard, it means nothing.Now it has. Now it does.Brent Burns and Logan Couture scored the goals, Joe Thornton was a one-man wrecking crew, and the Sharks served notice Tuesday night with a second straight win in a 2-1 decision: If the defending Stanley Cup champions are going to have a shot at repeating, they’re going to have to raise their game to another level.– Pierre LeBrun, ESPN.com"

Your Guide to Surviving Super Bowl L in the Bay Area

"If you are just coming for the experience, well, these things typically don’t get crowded until Friday, so come early. You’ll have a fighting chance of seeing things without waiting in statuary lines, and that will not be possible come the weekend, when the fans of the teams come in.Oh, and if you come because your team is in it, feel free to wear whatever team accoutrements you wish. Especially if the 49ers and Raiders aren¹t in the game. If one of them makes it, you may find that the locals are not quite as enthusiastic about your arrivals. But other than the odd “(Your Team Here) Sucks,” you’ll be fine.And if neither local team is a participant, expect a lot of “Oh, who cares?” from the locals. Like every other place on earth, we learn toward the provincial, so if you start chanting, “Let’s Go (Your Team Here),” you may hear a response like “Get Off My Lawn Or I’ll Call The Cops.”– Ray Ratto, CSN Bay Area"

Pablo Sandoval’s Home Run Lifts San Francisco Giants Past Washington Nationals 4-2

"Pablo Sandoval felt so ill before Tuesday’s game that he needed IV fluids just to get in the lineup.Unfortunately for the Washington Nationals, Sandoval claims he plays better when ill, a statement he backed up with a majestic walk-off home run at AT&T Park.Sandoval hit one to Barry Bonds territory with one out and a runner on in the bottom of the 10th. In fact, the blast that clinched a 4-2 win nearly hit the sign in deep right field commemorating Bonds’ all-time home run record. The walk-off homer was the second of Sandoval’s career, and both have come against the Nationals. It was the sixth walk-off victory of the season for the Giants and their 13th come-from-behind win.– Alex Pavlovic, San Jose Mercury News"