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Sharks earn playoff spot with
win over Kings
SJ back in the post season after a
year hiatus
The Sharks and Los Angeles Kings don't ever need
any motivation to play each other tough, but when there's a playoff spot on the
line, you have the makings for an entertaining evening. That's exactly what
fans got on Monday night as the two teams battled for the positioning in the
Pacific Division standings. The Sharks had the added motivation of a playoff
spot that eluded them last season. A win or a Phoenix Coyotes loss would secure
that spot for San Jose. They would get both.
The Sharks broke a 2-2
tie in with a three goal outburst in the 3rd period to snap a 3-game home
losing streak. The Coyotes had lost minutes earlier, so the Sharks victory was
redundant, but it was something San Jose needed.
The Kings weren't in
a charitable mood as they are battling both the Sharks and Anaheim Ducks for
the division title. By virtue of their win earlier in the day, The Ducks
climbed to within a single point of the Kings.
Los Angeles drew first
blood on Monday night, when Vincent Lecavalier snapped a shot past Martin Jones
from the right dot after Justin Braun was sent off for a delay of game penalty.
Lecavalier has rejuvenated his career in LA after he was acquired by the Kings
earlier this season.
The Kings forward would score again the 2nd
period, tying the game after San Jose had grabbed a 2-1 lead.
Braun
atoned for his penalty earlier in the 1st period, when he snapped a shot from
the high slot past Jonathan Quick. Tommy Wingels separated Tyler Toffoli from
the puck with a hit along the right wing boards, deflecting the puck to Melker
Karlsson. The Swedish forward dropped the puck to Braun to setup the
defenseman's 3rd goal of the season.
Joe Pavelski gave San Jose a 2-1
lead at 7:55 of the 2nd period when he tipped a Brent Burns shot that changed
directions on Quick. The goal was Pavelski's 36th tally of the season.
Lecavalier notched his 2nd of the game 4:17 left in the period, to setup the
3rd period showdown. San Jose could have jumped the gun with a goal late in the
2nd period, but Quick made a circus save, blocking a Logan Couture shot by
diving across the goal mouth and knocking down the shot with his stick paddle.
That showdown turned out to be a one-sided affair as
the Sharks overpowered Quick in the 3rd period.
Joe Thornton was
johnny-on-the-spot 4:28 into the period as the Sharks converted on a power
play. Pavelski pumped a shot on Quick from the slot, but the netminder blocked
the scoring chance, deflecting the puck to the right side of the net where
Thornton was there to gobble up the rebound and lift a shot over the fallen
Kings netminder.
Karlsson slipped a slick drop pass by Wingels under
Quick's pad with 3:19 to play to push the Sharks lead to a pair of goals.
Wingels appeared as if he would carry the puck around the back of the net, but
elected to leave it for Karlsson. The Shaks winger was crashing toward the
right post when Wingels pass hit him on the skate, redirecting past Quick for
the 4-2 lead.
Bran added an empty netter for his 2-goal night.
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think of this story? Post your comments on the
Feeder Forums |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
T |
| LA |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
| SJ |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
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| 1st period - 1, LA,
Lecavalier 9 (Martinez, McNabb), 9:12, (pp). 2, SJ, Braun 3 (Karlsson,
Wingels), 12:57. |
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| 2nd period - 3, SJ,
Pavelski 36 (Hertl, Burns), 7:55. 4, LA, Lecavalier 10 (Lucic, Toffoli),
15:43. |
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| 3rd period - 5, SJ,
Thornton 18 (Pavelski, Burns), 4:28, (pp). 6, SJ, Karlsson 10 (Wingels, Polak),
16:41. 7, SJ, Braun 4 (Zubrus), 19:41, (en). |
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| 1st period - Braun, SJ
(delay of game - puck over glass), 8:00; Thornton, SJ (tripping), 13:34;
McNabb, LA (holding), 19:14. |
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| 2nd period - Hertl, SJ
(cross checking), 8:38; Clifford, LA (fighting major), 13:58; Haley, SJ
(fighting major), 13:58. |
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| 3rd period - Carter, LA
(hooking), 4:17. |
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Shots |
Saves |
| LA - Quick |
30 |
26 |
| LA - empty net |
1 |
0 |
| SJ - Jones |
32 |
30 |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
T |
| LA |
9 |
15 |
8 |
32 |
| SJ |
11 |
10 |
10 |
31 |
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| Referees: Charron,
McCauley. Linesmen: Rody, Gibbons. |
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