A strong first-period showing by the San Jose Sharks sparked the home team to a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings Tuesday night at HP Pavilion, leveling the Western Conference Semifinals at two games apiece heading into Game Five Thursday on the Kings’ ice.
“The first period was some of the best hockey I’ve seen here in five years,” said San Jose defenseman Dan Boyle of the opening 20 minutes. San Jose posted a 15-3 advantage on shots on net while taking a 1-0 lead into the intermission. After adding a power play goal in the second period, the Sharks had enough of a lead to turn back a strong final 20 minutes by the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
Antti Niemi made 13 saves in the third period to earn his sixth win of the postseason. Los Angeles earned a 14-2 edge in shots on the net in the third period, but could solve Niemi only once. Mike Richards jammed a rebound home for a point-blank goal at the right post after Jeff Carter sent a low shot from the right point in Niemi’s direction.
San Jose was very active in the offensive zone in the first period, leading to a pair of power plays and continued harassment of goaltender Jonathan Quick and the Kings’ defense.
Joe Thornton was among the most active in the Los Angeles zone, several times making steals to keep scoring plays alive.
The captain was in his best form six minutes into play when he raced to the back of the Kings’ zone, stole the puck from defenseman Slava Voynov and found linemate Brett Burns at the bottom of the right circle. Burns’ shot was turned back, but Thornton regained possession and fed an unmarked Burns in the left circle for a goal past Quick at the 6:09 mark.
“I thought they were great, established a relentless forecheck and used their size to their advantage,” San Jose coach Todd McLellan said of the Thornton line. “Obviously, that got us that first goal.”
TJ Galiardi, Thornton’s linemate, lauded the centerman. “Jumbo was flying tonight. It was great. It’s so contagious when he’s doing that, it rubs off on every guy.”
Both clubs managed six goals in the second period, but the San Jose advantage grew to 2-0 on Logan Couture’s fifth postseason power play goal at 3:55. When Colin Fraser went to the box for roughing at 3:19, the Sharks made the mistake pay in the power play unit’s second stint in the offensive zone. Joe Pavelski, at the blueline, passed to an open Boyle, allowing the defenseman time to set up a long shot attempt. The shot was redirected at the edge of the crease by Couture.
NOTES: James Sheppard led the Sharks with seven hits…Thormton won 12 of 18 face-offs…The Kings’ power play goal came after Burns was called for boarding at 8:14 of the third period.
