The Los Angeles Kings got back into the series on Monday night, as an overtime goal by Tanner Pearson cut the Sharks‘ series lead to 2-1.
Dustin Brown put a hit on Joonas Donskoi and Brenden Dillon retaliated instead of playing the puck. Tanner Pearson took advantage, seizing the puck and beating Martin Jones on his left.
A tight, even game in Los Angeles’ style largely went back and forth the entire night. While the Sharks struck first, the Kings quickly answered and from there both goalies stood their ground. LA scored the only power-play goal of the evening, but both man-advantages looked dangerous throughout the night.
The loss gets the Kings right back into this series as the two teams will dance again on Wednesday night at SAP Center.
The Sharks struck first, and early. Joe Thornton took advantage of a screened Jonathan Quick, who was well out of position, to put San Jose up by a goal. That lead didn’t last long as Tommy Wingels sent the Kings to the power play, where Los Angeles scored its third goal on the man advantage this series.
From there, it was all Kings. Los Angeles got another chance on the power play and looked poised to convert, but a few magnificent saves by Jones kept things even. The first period ended 1-1 but San Jose easily could have gone to the first intermission down by a goal.
San Jose played a fine second period, but a late power play by the Kings nearly resulted in a Los Angeles goal. While the top line continued to dominated, the fourth line in particular was dominated by the Kings. Nick Spaling continued to have an absolute nightmare of a game, though he generated one of the best scoring chances of the night for the Sharks by throwing a sweet pass to Chris Tierney in the crease. Jonathan Quick came up with the save.
Another great period by the Sharks generated chance after chance, particularly on San Jose’s first power play of the frame. Pavelski, Thornton and Burns all had good looks but Quick denied each and every one and a couple of shot blocks late in the man-advantage ended the threat.
Sharks goals (assists): Joe Thornton (Tomas Hertl)
[Fancy Stats] – [Kings Reaction] – [TOI Log] – [Event Summary] – [Faceoff Report] – [PBP Log]
Fear the Fin’s Three Stars
1) Brent Burns
2) Joe Thornton
3) Joe Pavelski
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