Kings Vs. Sharks, Game 1: First Ever Battle Of California Heads To Overtime

The Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks were unable to solve Game 1 of their Western Conference Quarterfinal series in 60 minutes. They’re tied 2-2 and headed to overtime at HP Pavilion in San Jose.

The Kings started well in the third, getting a two-on-one at about two minutes in that set up Kyle Clifford with an open chance, but somehow Niemi came across the netmouth to make the pad save. It was the Stanley Cup-winning goaltender’s best save of the night. Niemi is the only goaltender in the Western Conference bracket with a Stanley Cup ring, and one of only two (Marc-Andre Fleury) in the entire tournament to be a part of a champion. That could prove helpful as the playoffs go on.

The Kings dominated possession for most of the third period, as the Sharks spent the first 12 minutes of the third period with only one shot on the board. The Kings didn’t get that much more in the way of shots, but they were clearly the more dangerous team. They were winning the races to loose pucks, getting takeaways, and shutting down the Sharks’ play-making forwards. Other than that Clifford chance, though, this period of dominance didn’t amount to too many great scoring chances.

The Sharks then finally proceeded to get their momentum back, as Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi started to get some passes connected in the Kings’ zone. They got a couple of solid chances on Quick, but he was solid and able to make the key saves. Plus, he finally got the puck covered to give his tired defenders a chance to rest for a bit. On the next shift, Quick made a terrific save on Kyle Wellwood. Quick returned to the spectacular play that had given the Kings a chance when they seemed buried.

At 17:49, Drew Doughty took down Kyle Wellwood, which would’ve created a Kings scoring chance. It was called a trip, and the Sharks were given just their second power play. Once again, the regular season’s second-best power play was matched against the league’s fourth best penalty kill, and at this point, it was for the Kings survival in this game. Dany Heatley got an open chance from the high slot that was denied by Quick. That was the best chance they would get, and the Kings made it to overtime.