LOS ANGELES -- Milan Lucic, for one, knows not to underestimate the power of redemption -- or is it revenge? -- when it comes to the Los Angeles Kings' opponent in the first round of the playoffs.
After squandering a 3-0 lead and losing a 2010 series to Philadelphia, Lucic's Boston Bruins team was highly motivated while beating those same Flyers a year later.
"We didn't just beat them, we smoked them," Lucic said Wednesday. "We scored 20 goals in four games in a sweep. And it felt really, really good. That's what made us feel really good about ourselves heading into that next round, doing what we had to do to win the Cup. Maybe it's something I bring up [with Kings teammates]; it's definitely something we can't overlook."
So yes, that might give you an idea of how motivated the San Jose Sharks will be after seeing their 3-0 lead over the Kings evaporate two years ago in a playoff series loss that shook the Sharks franchise to its core.
"I've been on the losing end of being up 3-0 and losing in Game 7, and I know the determination they're feeling going in to get redemption," added Lucic. "We have to match their determination and match their energy in order for us to have success, so that when all is said and done, we're the team moving on."
The way Kings superstar defenseman Drew Doughty sees it, his team has extra motivation, too.
"We're not really thinking about that series from a few years ago when we came back from 3-0, because last year we weren't even in the playoffs," he said Wednesday. "That's all we remember right now, the fact that we didn't even make it in last year. That was embarrassing enough to begin with.
"Now to play the San Jose Sharks, one of our biggest rivals, it's going to be a fun series for both the players and the fans. It's going to be a rough, tough one, which is going to make it fun to watch."
Rough and tough big-boy hockey, Pacific Division-style, it's what you get with any game involving San Jose, L.A. or the Anaheim Ducks.
"It's definitely real. The rivalry in California between the three teams is better than I expected coming from the East Coast," Lucic said. "I got a taste of it really early in Game 1 of the season [against San Jose]; things kind of got heated at the end of the game.
"It's the Battle of California, and with how many times they've faced each other recently in the playoffs, it adds into a lot of hatred between the teams and I think it's going to make for an emotional series. I'm excited for it to start."
Lucic was grinning from ear to ear the entire time he was talking about this series, one that is made for the 6-foot-3, 233-pound winger, acquired in a trade last June from the Bruins.
"Just as an athlete and a competitor, you kind of thrive off those things and it's easy to look forward to a game when there's a little bit extra-involved," said Lucic, who had a central role in the great Bruins-Montreal Canadiens rivalry.
"It's never my nature to shy away when rivalries happen. I think that's one of the things I'm really excited about heading into this series. Both teams are excited about it because both teams have a lot to prove heading into this series with both teams missing the playoffs last year and going back to 2014."
You want to talk big-boy hockey? Imagine seven games of Lucic banging bodies with Sharks star blue-liner Brent Burns in the corners.
"That's the rivalry within the rivalry that you want to win, that you almost have to win to give your team success because he's such an important part of that team," Lucic said of Burns. "He's such an important part of that offense and how that team goes. You want to make sure that you're prepared to play your game and take it to them so that you come out on top when the series is done."
Thursday night at Staples Center, Lucic will appear in his first playoff game since Game 7 at Boston against the Canadiens two years ago, known for the handshake heard around the world.
It has been 20 months without playoff hockey, but it has felt longer for him.
"I talked about it a lot before camp and during the offseason how much missing the playoffs kind of motivates you heading into the season to get back there," said Lucic. "Not even having the chance to play for a Stanley Cup is almost as bad as being up 3-0 and losing the series.
"So personally, and I think I speak for everyone who didn't play in the playoffs last year ... we had a lot to prove throughout the season and we have a lot to prove heading into this playoff series and that's why we have to match the Sharks' determination because we have a lot to play for here, too."