Quick Bite: Lucic-less Kings top Sharks in OT
Marian Gaborik's OT-winner stings, but the Sharks still pick up a point.
On a night where Sharks legend, Arturs Irbe, was honored at SAP Center, the Sharks fell on the wrong side of a 3-2 OT decision to their arch rivals. Early on in the game, the Sharks survived an onslaught of Kings scoring chances. However, the Sharks held their ground and put up a tremendous fight throughout the remainder of the game.
3-on-3 overtime did not disappoint, as each team produced a number of quality chances. Marian Gaborik broke his goal scoring drought when he found the back of the net on a partial breakaway. The season series is now tied at 2 games a piece, with the only remaining game coming on March 28th in San Jose.
Joe Pavelski opened up the scoring early in 2nd period (03:39). Fresh out of the penalty box, Joe Thornton chased down an icing and fed a driving Tomas Hertl. The Captain was in perfect position for the finish. The goal was challenged by LA but upheld.
Jumbo ➡️ Hertl ➡️ Pavs = pic.twitter.com/dzj8lsBfVw
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 25, 2016
Drew Doughty tied up the score midway through the final frame after the Sharks were sent to the PK when Mike Brown took a careless run at Doughty. His slapper from the point beat a screened Jones top-shelf.
Logan Couture broke the tie with 8:18 left in the 3rd period after fantastic work by Joonas Donskoi behind the net. Couture's snapshot beat Enroth far-side from the faceoff circle.
Sharks went to the PP with 5:54 left in the 3rd after sustained pressure in the offensive zone led to a Drew Doughty hooking penalty. While on the man-advantage, Donskoi was called for interference. Less than a minute of 4-on-4 time ensued. The Kings were unable to convert on the resulting 1:10 of PP time.
With Enroth pulled, recent Kings acquisition Vinny Lecavalier was left all alone in the crease and poked home a rebound with 12.2 seconds remaining in the period.
Marian Gaborik ended the game with less than a minute left in the 3-on-3 OT period, beating Jones on a partial breakaway.
[Fancy Stats] - [Kings Reaction] - [TOI Log] - [Event Summary] - [Faceoff Report] - [PBP Log]
Fear the Fin's 3 Stars
1) Marian Gaborik
2) Logan Couture
3) Joe Thornton