Kings Vs. Sharks, Game 1: Dany Heatley’s Goal At 28 Seconds Makes It 1-0 Sharks

The San Jose Sharks certainly know how to open the post-season. 28 seconds into Game 1 of their Western Conference Quarterfinal series, Dany Heatley scored to give them a 1-0 lead over the Los Angeles Kings at HP Pavilion in San Jose.

On the first shift of the series, the Sharks went with a line of Dany Heatley, Ryan Clowe and Logan Couture. Ian White fed Clowe, who wristed one on goal. The initial shot was stopped by Jonathan Quick, but Heatley found the rebound and backhanded it past the Los Angeles netminder. It was Heatley’s 13th career playoff goal at only 28 seconds of the first period.

Drew Doughty took the game’s first penalty for the Kings, taking down Patrick Marleau and drawing an interference penalty at 3:32. The strong San Jose power play (2nd in the NHL during the regular season) matched up with Los Angeles’ just as strong penalty kill (4th in the league). The Kings strong penalty killing, along with Quick, prevailed. A big kill, as you know the Sharks could’ve potentially put the game away there, momentum-wise.

Los Angeles went to the man advantage themselves at 7:01 of the first period, when Jamal Mayers went off for cross-checking. On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, this matched up the NHL’s 21st-best power play in Los Angeles vs. the 24th-best in San Jose. Once again, it was defense that won the battle as the Sharks were able to kill off Mayers’ penalty.

San Jose came close again with five and a half minutes to go. Devin Setoguchi took a long-range shot that Jonathan Quick was unable to cover the initial shot. The rebound was jammed away at from the side of the net, but to no avail. The Sharks kept coming, but Quick was able to hold the line, and in many cases kept the Kings in the game during the first period.

Ryan Clowe took a penalty at 15:31 for roughing after the play went dead, pushing and shoving with Dustin Brown. The Kings were unable to muster much as the Sharks killed it off. Los Angeles went 0-for-2 on the power play in the first period. The Sharks owned the rest of the period, out-shooting the Kings 14-3, with Quick’s 13 saves really being the only thing keeping this from being a big lead for San Jose early.

Ian White left the game after a sneaky hit from behind to his head from Jarret Stoll. It was a subtle hit to the back of White’s head into the boards, and he appeared dazed. In response, Ben Eager dropped the gloves with Kyle Clifford. The game continued to get more physical, and it appears to be developing a good hate factor early on. The team that continues to play the game instead of getting caught up in the physical drama will likely take control.