San Jose Sharks take 2-1 lead after defeating Los Angeles Kings 6-5 in over-time – NHL Play-offs
The Los Angeles Kings finally returned home to play game three after playing twice in rival city San Jose. The Sharks came out charging and stunned the Kings as they got the over-time goal to win the high scoring match 6-5 at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles,
California on Tuesday.
Devin Setoguchi scored the game-winner for San Jose early in the extended period, as he was fed by Patrick Marleau from the right side and had perfect timing with the puck. Setoguchi lifted the Sharks ahead of the Kings 2-1 in the Western Conference quarter-final
series after scoring his first of the National Hockey League post-season.
Los Angeles took control of the first period and was ahead 3-0 by the time it ended. Willie Mitchell and Kyle Clifford scored 13 seconds apart and Michal Handzus added the final with less than two minutes remaining. Brad Richardson widened the gap to 4-0
in the opening 44 seconds of the second period which sparked a San Jose shooting spree.
San Jose scored five goals in the second period alone to catch up with the high flying Kings. Marleau, Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture scored three consecutive goals within 10 minutes, shocking the crowd which seemed to have lost their breath in disbelief.
Marleau’s clean tip-in at the 3:08 mark triggered the come-back. Clowe added the only power-play goal of the match after a pass by the rookie superstar Couture who fired off his own to bring them within a goal reach.
Ryan Smyth scored the Kings final goal of the match while Clowe responded on his second of the night following a tying goal by Joe Pavelski with 30 seconds remaining.
The third period remained scoreless and an undeniable over-time came into play in which Setoguchi scored to win it for San Jose.
The Kings still have home-ice advantage left for the fourth game but it might be difficult to catch up if they lose. San Jose remains in Los Angeles for game four which is on Thursday, enabling them to put the Kings on the verge of elimination.
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