The last time the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings met in the playoffs, San Jose jumped out to a 3-0 series lead before collapsing and losing four straight to the Kings. At least the result won’t be identical this year, because the Kings pulled out a road victory in Game 3 to trim San Jose’s series lead to 2-1.
Kings vs. Sharks 2016 final score: Los Angeles survives OT to cut San Jose’s series lead to 2-1
Tanner Pearson’s overtime goal was the hero for the Kings.
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Just like Game 2, the Sharks jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Joe Thornton was given time and space to circle around to the front of the Kings net before blasting the puck behind Jonathan Quick 30 seconds into the game.
Los Angeles had a response of its own on the power play, as Anze Kopitar scored his first goal of the series on the man advantage. The Kings alternate captain picked up a rebound on the doorstep and put it past netminder Martin Jones for the 1-1 equalizer seven minutes later.
After a more dominant first period by the Kings, the Sharks held a 11-6 shot advantage in a scoreless second period. The third period was very much the same, as the game was destined for overtime despite multiple chances for San Jose to seal the deal on the power play.
Overtime was a quick affair, with Tanner Pearson scoring off a Kings rush almost four minutes into the extra hockey period. The puck beat Jones clean, and helped the Kings stay alive in the first round. It was a potentially pivotal win for the Kings’ chances. While they pulled off a 3-0 comeback before, that’s no small or easily repeatable feat. Instead, Los Angeles likely needed a win on Monday to have a chance in the series. They got it, on the road, and now the series has taken new shape.
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