Tanner Pearson flew into the offensive zone, went five hole and gave the Los Angeles Kings some new life in a 2-1 overtime victory over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. LA now trails in the series, 2-1, but has to be thrilled it won't have to repeat the stunning 3-0 comeback it pulled on San Jose in 2014.
NHL playoff scores 2016: Sharks fail to put away Kings and it costs them a chance to sweep
The Kings and Wild avoided major 3-0 holes while Washington inched closer to a sweep on Monday night.
John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
The Kings' situation was looking dire early in Game 3 after Joe Thornton opened the scoring less than a minute into the action with a wrist shot to beat Jonathan Quick. Usually the Sharks' top playmaker, Thornton found some space in the slot and got his first tally of the postseason. It was Thornton's first shot on goal in the series.
This wasn't a night that rewarded early scoring, though. All three NHL playoff games saw a team score in the first minute. In each game, that team eventually lost. The Sharks got Thornton's goal 30 seconds after the puck drop, then played over 60 minutes without lighting the lamp again.
That was enough to force overtime thanks to a stellar defensive effort and the steady performance in net from former King Martin Jones. After Anze Kopitar tied it up midway through the first period, both teams kept battling for that next score. Over the final two periods and overtime, San Jose actually had a 23-11 shot advantage.
Los Angeles was the one to finally capitalize in overtime, however, and now the team has a chance to pull things even Thursday night in San Jose. The Kings had lost the last five playoff meetings with the Sharks that went to overtime, so you could say they were due. San Jose, meanwhile, has to be kicking itself for failing to put this game away in regulation when the Kings were fighting from the ropes in the second and third periods.
The Sharks were oh so close to putting the Kings on the brink, even with those memories of a blown 3-0 lead still somewhat fresh, and now it feels like they've given LA an opening to turn this series around.
Scores
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3 things we learned
1. The Wild will not go down quietly
Five minutes into Game 3 between Minnesota and Dallas, it seemed like the Wild were one step closer to their summer vacation. Then the tide slowly turned over the final 55 minutes and Minnesota came away with a crucial 5-3 win that cuts the Stars’ series lead to 2-1.
Patrick Sharp scored twice in the opening minutes Monday, putting the opponents in a tough hole even at home. The Wild were just five periods away from calling it a season, and with key names like Zach Parise and Thomas Vanek sitting out, the chances of a comeback didn't seem great.
Then Chris Porter scored off a deflection with just 50 seconds left in the first period to cut the deficit to 2-1 and the Wild found their appetite. Jason Pominville scored the go-ahead goal and the empty netter to clinch the game. Tyler Seguin might come in and change this series at some point, but right now, it seems like Minnesota has a shot.
2. Philadelphia didn't respond so well to adversity
Philadelphia didn't respond to its Game 3 deficit nearly as well as Minnesota. The Flyers had 43 penalty minutes in the third period Monday, including 35 handed out in a single sequence involving Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Ryan White and Radko Gudas. Bellemare had the worst offense by initiating things with an ugly check into the boards on Dmitry Orlov.
Bellemare was assessed a five-minute checking from behind major along with a 10-minute game misconduct penalty. White and Gudas also received game misconducts, leaving the Flyers three players short for the final few minutes of regulation. The Capitals used the extended man advantage to score again and put away the 6-1 victory that leaves Philadelphia on the brink of elimination.
3. Alex Ovechkin wants a Cup more than franchise records
Ovechkin recorded his 73rd playoff point as a member of the Capitals on Monday, passing Dale Hunter for the club record. How does he feel about this historic accomplishment?
Q: "Ovi, what does it mean to you, franchise leader in playoff points?"
— Chris Gordon (@Chris_Gordon) April 19, 2016
A: "I don’t care."
Cup or bust.
Impact Moment
The Wild were less than a minute from heading into the first-period intermission trailing 2-0 on the scoreboard and in the series. Porter’s score totally changed that and set the stage for Minnesota’s pivotal victory at Xcel Energy Arena.
Stat of the Night
Let’s review: the Capitals power play was 5 for 9. The Flyers took 53 penalty minutes. Only 37:42 of the game was played at even-strength.
— Chris Gordon (@Chris_Gordon) April 19, 2016
Washington finished the regular season in the top five on both the power play and penalty kill. It should come as no surprise that a heavy dose of special teams would yield the Capitals a sizable advantage.
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