Los Angeles Kings net the San Jose Sharks during Shootout –NHL Update
The Kings ended a long four-game winning streak for the Sharks as they beat them 4-3 during a shootout on Thursday night at an overcrowded Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California.
Either team couldn’t break down the other’s defence during the first period after numerous attempts. The Kings Jonathan Quick made 25 rejections while opposing goalie Antti Niemi faced 38 attempts of which 35 were blocked. Joe Pavelski opened up the second
period with a quick goal while redirecting a shot taken by Patrick Marleau which bounced off Quick’s stick and into the net behind him.
Dustin Brown and Willie Mitchell scored nearly two minutes apart to end the second phase with a 2-1 lead.
It was a thrilling final period as the teams went back and forth. The pace was frantic and the players were still feeling the heat and it almost generated a group fight during the second. Patrick Marleau tied up the match 16:28 in, only to be replied by
Dustin Brown’s second of the night on a power play.
Marleau wasn’t going to let his effort go to waste, firing off near the net from a dual pass by Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture. He made the tie-maker with five seconds remaining to give the Sharks another chance at victory. Overtime didn’t bear any fruit
for either LA or San Jose and the rivals were forced into a shootout. This was a good scenario for the Kings and they looked confident.
Dustin Brown scored the second goal for LA during the shootout after Dan Boyle was answered by Jarret Stoll. Marleau had another chance to save the game for his team but missed on Quick who wrapped the puck around after a shot taken from nine feet.
The Kings ended up extending their winning streak to two and they’ll go on against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. It will be an opportunity to gain another easy two points as they stand fifth in the Western Conference tied with Nashville at 90.
Even though San Jose lost, they still gained two points and they are now tied with the Detroit Red Wings for second place with 95 points. Sharks face the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday in their second last match of the month.
Tags: