San Jose started Game 1 on a tear, as they would score 3 times in the opening period (2 of them happened within the last minute). The Sharks would add two more in the second. The Kings would eventually find the back of the net, putting 3 past Antti Niemi. Brent Burns would add an empty net goal for the Sharks to close out the game. Game 2 looked to be different for Los Angeles, as they ended the first period up 2-0. That was all for the Kings though, as the Sharks poured it on, scoring 7 times in the remaining 2 periods to take the game and extend their series lead. San Jose took the lead early in Game 3 thanks to a Burns powerplay goal. Los Angeles would answer back in the second, scoring twice. Matt Nieto would tie the game back up soon after. The third period would see both teams get a goal. With overtime needed, it was Patrick Marleau playing hero, as he would put San Jose's lone overtime shot past Jonathan Quick. With the threat of eliminate, the Kings would strike first in Game 4. The Sharks would tie it up before the first period ended. both teams would swap goals in the first half of the second, then the Kings took over. Justin Williams and Tyler Toffoli would score later in the period to give Los Angeles a 2 goals lead. The Kings would extend the lead in the third, as they would win 6-3 and avoid being swept. The Kings would shut out the Sharks in Game 5. Quick would make 30 saves in the shutout effort while the Kings would chase Niemi from the net just 22 seconds into the second period. San Jose would start Alex Stalock in Game 6. That gamble didn't look to pay off early, as Williams would put the Kings up 1-0 in the first. The Sharks would tie the game in the second thanks to a James Sheppard tip-in. Williams would break the deadlock in the third on a controversial goal. That was it, as the Kings would add 2 more and force a Game 7. It took a while, but the Sharks would get the first goal of Game 7 early in the second. The Kings would score twice before the period ended. Try as San Jose might, Los Angeles was the only team to score in the third. Toffoli was add to the Kings lead, then they added 2 empty net goals to close out the game and the series. The Kings came back from being down 3 games in the series to eliminate the Sharks in 7 games.
Games
Los Angeles Kings 3
San Jose Sharks 6
Los Angeles Kings 2
San Jose Sharks 7
San Jose Sharks 4 (OT)
Los Angeles Kings 3
San Jose Sharks 3
Los Angeles Kings 6
Los Angeles Kings 3
San Jose Sharks 0
San Jose Sharks 1
Los Angeles Kings 4
Los Angeles Kings 5
San Jose Sharks 1
Three Thoughts on the Series
- Tomas Hertl, the next Teemu Selanne (in terms of basically everyone loving him).
- Best satirical piece of the playoffs (so far).
- Really question why Todd McLellan would go with Stalock instead of sticking it out with Niemi. Darryl Sutter stuck it out with Quick despite his bad start.
Joe Thornton sums up this series in one look.
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| (Image via @PeteBlackburn) |
Highlight of the Series
How was this a goal? Williams clearly pushed Stalock (which resulted in the puck going into the net) but it should have been whistled down and disallowed.
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