Quick blanks Sharks as Kings prevail 3-0

SAN JOSE – Every first-round series in the Western Conference will go at least six games after the Los Angeles Kings rushed past the San Jose Sharks 3-0 at sold-out SAP Center Saturday night.
Jeff Carter’s power play goal 22 seconds into the second period gave the Kings the final 3-0 margin.
Los Angeles has won two straight after dropping the first three games in the best-of-7 series.
Game Six will be played Monday at 7pm on the Kings’ ice. If needed, Game Seven will be Wednesday in San Jose.
Jonathan Quick made 30 saves to earn his eighth shut-out in 55 post-season appearances for the Kings.
“For whatever reason, we were sluggish,” said Shark coach Todd McLellan. “We were slow, didn’t have legs. We had poor puck support.”
Justin Braun’s tripping penalty in the offensive zone with 31.4 seconds left in the first period led to the Carter goal. On the first shift of the second period, Carter, at the goalline after taking a pass from Marian Gaborik, pulled the puck toward the crease. The puck bounced off the skate of Shark Brad Stuart and past goaltender Antti Niemi for the 3-0 cushion.
McLellan pulled Niemi and replaced him with Alex Stalock for the rest of the game.
Los Angeles scored twice on counter-attacks in the first period for a 2-0 advantage.
Tyler Toffoli scored his second goal of the series 8:09 into play to open the scoring. Linemate Tanner Pearson controlled the puck into the San Jose zone before sliding a cross-ice pass to Toffoli. The King center was able to avoid a check by James Sheppard before snapping a shot past Niemi from the high slot.
The Kings made it 2-0 with 12:52 gone with a successful 3-on-3 rush. Captain Dustin Brown, on the right wing, drilled a low shot that Niemi kicked aside. Anze Kopitar turned the rebound into a successful shot from the slot.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic was limited to seven shifts after suffering an injury in the first period. Jarret Stoll was penalized for roughing on the play.
“We need to simplify our game,” said Shark captain Joe Thornton. “We were out of sync from the start.”