Kings Vs. Sharks, Game 2: Doughty’s Deuce Gives LA 3-0 Lead After Two Periods

Three goals coming from defensemen, and two from Drew Doughty, have given the Los Angeles Kings a 3-0 lead over the San Jose Sharks in Game 2 of their Western Conference Quarterfinal series, which they look to tie up with a win tonight.

Jason Demers took an early delay of game penalty at 3:39, after sending the puck over the boards and glass. The Shark seem to have finally figured out the Los Angeles power play, now having killed off two in a row, and looking really solid doing so on that fourth attempt. The Kings are now 2-for-4 on the power play for the game, and 3-for-6 on the man advantage in this series.

The Sharks finally returned to the man advantage after four straight kills of their own when Alex Martinez went off to the box for hooking. Despite numerous chances and very little fight back from the Kings, the Sharks were unsuccessful in their fifth consecutive man advantage in this series. They will need to find a hole in that penalty kills hold they get more opportunities.

The Sharks went back to the kill once again, as Nicolas Wallin needed to slash Ryan Smyth, or he’d have very likely had a goal at 11:53. Joe Pavelski drove the net on a shorthanded chance, however, and Dustin Brown took him down to the ice. It was called a trip at 12:28. Neither team scored on the resulting 4-on-4, nor the brief San Jose power play that ensued.

Drew Doughty struck again late in the second. The Kings came up four-abreast on a rush, with Doughty looking to throw one in front, but had it blocked back to him. He then retreated to the point, waited, and then blasted one through a screen and it got by Niemi. That’s three goals on 15 shots on Niemi, though hardly his fault. The first three Kings goals all came from defensemen.

Overall, the second belonged to Jonathan Quick. He’s had great rebound control, but still managed to make 23 saves on the Sharks. He’s looked cool, calm and collected, he’s just getting more support from both his offense and defense here in Game 2. He’s certainly out-played Niemi in the series so far.