Los Angeles Kings whitewash San Jose Sharks, 4-0: NHL Recap
Drew Doughty lit the lamp twice and had two assists to lead the Los Angeles Kings to a 4-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks in Game 2 of Western Conference quarter-final series, at the
HP Pavilion on Saturday night.
Jack Johnson and Kyle Clifford both also found the back of the net for Los Angeles, which was coming from an extra-session drop in Game 1 despite being without injured Anze Kopitar and
suspended Jarret Stoll.
Jonathan Quick was outstanding between the pipes, turning away 34 shots he faced and making the Kings’ first shutout in the post-season to send the series back to Los Angeles knotted at
a contest apiece.
The Sharks were under-siege all the night, as they were unable to score even a single goal on five power-play chances and have been shutout for the fourth time at home in the play-offs.
The goal-tender, Antti Niemi, was the hard-luck loser, allowing all four goals on 23 shots in the losing effort.
Los Angeles got the scoring of the game started with less than eight minutes left in the first period. With San Jose forward, Ben Eager, in the penalty box for slashing, Johnson took advantage
of a screen in front by Ryan Smyth and fired a slap shot from the left point past Niemi for 1-0 lead and for his first career post-season goal.
Doughty then gave the Kings a two-goal edge, 2-0, in less than two minutes later. It happened so when he took a penalty for elbowing by Ryane Clowe and rushed all alone between the circles
when the San Jose's defenders were caught in a careless line change. He then ripped a blast shot from the high slot past Niemi.
"Overall our battle-level just wasn't that high tonight," forward Ryane Clowe said. "They really played a pretty desperate game tonight. We didn't have a lot of hunger around the net."
Doughty struck again to give the Kings 3-0 lead with a little over four minutes left in the middle session, as he was again left uncovered and the point and unleashed a forehand shot from
just inside the blue line, which found its way through a screen in front and past Niemi.
"We had a lot of adversity before this game with two of our top centers out," Doughty said. "I guess a lot of people didn't think we had a chance tonight. I guess we showed those people
wrong. We played a hard, solid team game. That's what wins you playoff games."
The Sharks got a chance to score late in the second period, but the Kings killed off the penalty to keep the Sharks off the board.
However, Los Angeles took a huge four goal advantage, 4-0, just about five minutes into the last period. The goal was set up by Brad Richardson, who sent a perfect pass from behind the
net to the front, where Clifford buried the puck home with a back-handed shot.
Los Angeles were satisfied securing its four-goal edge the rest of the play, while the lifeless San Jose were unable to put pressure.
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