Couture scores two goals in Sharks’ 4-2 win over Kings

SAN JOSE – Joe Pavelski drilled his 12^th power play goal of the season over prone Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick 8:27 into the third period to cap a 4-2 victory over the visitors at sold-out SAP Center.
Pavelski’s 24^th goal of the season also was the 5,000^th goal in the history of the San Jose franchise.
Logan Couture produced two goals, giving him 13 points in the past 11 games. Couture scored 10:44 into the first period to open the scoring, then was awarded a goal in the closing three seconds of the game when he was denied an empty-net goal by Kings’ defenseman Drew Doughty.
The Sharks continue the home stand next Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The Chicago Blackhawks visit Saturday Jan. 31, the Edmonton Oilers on Monday Feb. 2.
Pavelski’s goal gave San Jose a 3-1 cushion. The Kings pulled the goaltender for the game’s final 2:22. Jeff Carter lined a low shot from the blueline that dipped into the net to make it a 3-2 game with 22.4 seconds left. The Kings had one final face-off in the San Jose zone before the Sharks moved out of the zone, leading to the Couture goal.
Couture came up with the lone goal of the first period.
The 25-year-old centerman controlled the puck along the left boards into the Kings’ zone, speeding around defenseman Alec Martinez. Couture jetted toward the front of the crease as he jammed the puck inside the left post past Quick.
Both teams recorded one goal in the second period, giving San Jose a 2-1 advantage entering the second intermission.
Although the Kings were limited to six shots on net in each of the first two periods, the visitors pulled into a 1-1 tie on an even-strength goal from captain Dustin Brown.
Sharks’ goaltender Antti Niemi was forced to the right post to defend an advance by Marian Gaborik. Brown was able to pounce on the short rebound and spin behind the net for a wrap-around goal inside the left post at the 11:39 mark.
San Jose took a 2-1 lead 16:39 into the second period. A Doughty hooking penalty gave San Jose a power play. Couture, from the left circle, spotted Patrick Marleau at the right post. Marleau’s redirected shot was his fourth power-play effort of the season.
NOTES: Craig Coxe scored San Jose’s first-ever goal, Oct. 4, 1991 in Vancouver…The Kings threw 16 shots on net in the third period to finish with a 28-24 advantage…San Jose is second in the Pacific Division with 56 points. Vancouver has 55 points, Calgary 53 and Los Angeles 52.