SAN JOSE
– Los Angeles, called a ‘long shot’ in some circles when viewed
in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against San Jose,
used some ‘long shots’ Saturday night to ease past the Sharks 4-0
and turn the best 4-of-7 series into a 1-1 duel with the next two
games set for the Kings’ place.
SAN JOSE – Los Angeles, called a ‘long shot’ in some circles when viewed in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against San Jose, used some ‘long shots’ Saturday night to ease past the Sharks 4-0 and turn the best 4-of-7 series into a 1-1 duel with the next two games set for the Kings’ place.
Two power play blasts from long range gave the Kings a 2-0 edge in the first period. A one-timer from the high slot made it 3-0 in the second, enough of a cushion to quiet the crowd at HP Pavilion. Los Angeles finished off the victory with a goal from point-blank range in the third period that left star defenseman Drew Doughty with four points.
The Kings won without the services of center Jarret Stoll, given a one-game suspension for hitting San Jose’s Ian White from behind in the first game of the series. White was not in the San Jose line-up, replaced by rookie Justin Braun.
Jonathan Quick, playing in his eighth playoff game, earned his first shut-out with 34 saves. San Jose’s Antti Niemi, who won 16 games in last year’s post-season run with Chicago, made 19 saves.
“The key guys who needed to step up played as hard as they could,” said Terry Murray, coach of the Kings.
“Guys held nothing back. I loved the way we cycled the puck. Guys were hard against the boards. The defensemen were composed. They blocked a lot of shots.”
Los Angeles was credited with 22 blocked shots, the Sharks eight.
“They were a lot hungrier than we were,” said San Jose coach Todd McLellan.
“We’re a more competitive team than we showed. We better be more competitive so that we have a chance. We’ll challenge our group. We’ll expect more from each individual.”
San Jose was penalized twice in the game’s first 14 minutes and the Kings responded with goals each time they had the extra skater.
Ben Eager’s slash of Jack Johnson at 11:26 turned into a 1-0 deficit at the 12:13 mark. Defenseman Jack Johnson earned his first NHL post-season goal when he drove a low shot from the left point inside the left post as Niemi was screened by King Ryane Smith.
After Ryane Clowe was called for elbowing Doughty at 13:50, the Sharks were seven seconds away from killing the penalty when Doughty slid into the high slot and boomed a shot inside the right post as Brad Richardson screened Niemi.
“You’ve got to keep your cool,” captain Joe Thornton said of the penalties caused by the Sharks in the first period. “This has to get better.”
McLellan also looked to the early penalties as a way the game got away from the hosts.
“You have to play with controlled emotion, smart emotion. You can’t get behind 2-0 or 3-0 because (Los Angeles) will shut it down.”
Doughty gave the Kings that 3-0 advantage at 15:42 of the second period. The 21-year-old moved with the puck across the inside of the San Jose zone before sending a low shot under the pads of Niemi as center Oscar Moller set up an effective screen.
“He’s really skating. He’s confident with the puck,” Murray said of Doughty. “Doughty has always shown that ability to step up at the right time. He’s the best young defenseman I’ve seen in the past 10 years.”
After surging to a 3-0 lead with three long shots, rookie Kyle Clifford tapped in a short rebound of a Brad Richardson shot at 4:54 of the third period.
“Give them some credit,” said Clowe. “They played a desperate game.”
Game Three is Tuesday at 7:30pm at the Staples Center. After the Thursday game, San Jose will host the Kings Saturday.
