SAN JOSE -- This is a reversal of Game 1. The LA Kings played with that sense of urgency that's so often talked about. The Kings put their money where their mouth is and assured that Staples Center will host one more game this season.

There isn't much to evaluate from the Sharks perspective. The Kings dominated the play from the drop of the puck and shutout Team Teal, 3-0.

Although there wasn't as much time and space that the Sharks had in Game 1, LA created great scoring chances and the second goal was a perfect odd man rush.

The Sharks finally got some momentum on the power play after going failing on their first two opportunities. They had a few good scoring chances but Jonathan Quick was on top of his game keeping San Jose off the scoreboard.

This was the golden opportunity for San Jose since you knew they weren't going to sweep LA in four games. Now the series is headed for Game 6 and given the history of home ice victories, you're likely looking at the series being decided in Game 7.

"We're ahead in the series, we did a lot of good things for three and a half games," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said. "This was red rotten. That's simply put and when we started this series we talked about leaving games behind. Closing the book on it and there's no doubt we'll look at it, we have to improve but it's done now. It's in the bank and we'll move on."

Yes they'll move on but it sure has to sting losing two straight. Then again, as the old saying goes, it's not a series until a team loses at home. Well both teams have lost a game on home ice and as McLellan pointed out, they are still ahead in the series.

That sentiment was echoed by Kings defenseman Drew Doughty.

"We came this far to get two (wins), and now we have to get two more, " Doughty said. "We need to take it one at a time and that puts even more pressure on us because now, we can kind of smell it. But we can't get ahead of ourselves, we've got a lot of work ahead of us and going back to Staples is a thing we want to be doing. We have to get a win and tie the series up."

The Kings got away with some hits that should have been penalties but the strategy worked as the Sharks frustrated themselves into spending time in the sin bin.

The top players for the Kings played like top players, resulting in goals for Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli, and Anze Kopitar

Turning point

The third goal of the game by Jeff Carter on the power play ending any hope of a come from behind victory.

Game highlights



Contenders

Jonathan Quick - It was only a matter of time before he started standing on his head and he did so in this game. The most notable save came midway through the third period when Quick made a left leg kick save on Tommy Wingels shot in the slot to keep the Sharks scoreless.

Alex Stalock - granted it was a 3-0 Kings lead when he came into the game but he did stop all 22 shots faced. Curious to see who will start Game 6. I still think it'll be Niemi

Pretenders

Antti Niemi - pulled for a second straight game. He wasn't good in the net and that was punctuated on the third goal. Bad timing that Brad Stuart kicked the puck in trying to block the shot.

Coach Todd McLellan - Just like Darryl Sutter in Game 1, McLellan did not have his squad prepared to face the desperate Kings who have gotten themselves back in this series.

Jarett Stoll - for yet another cheap hit. He elbowed Marc-Eduoard Vlasic in the head after a clean check into the boards. That hit costs the Sharks Vlasic for most of the game as he did not return and San Jose had to make due with five defensemen.

Bay Area columnist - for asking a loaded question to Dan Boyle regarding "mulligans" about their chances of closing out the Kings. I stood next to the reporter. An understandable reaction from Boyle. It's a valid question, just a raw response given the final score. Video of the exchange begins at 2:40.



Notes

The Sharks had a combined 55 hits on the night. ... James Sheppard had a game-high nine hits. ... Justin Braun led all Sharks with 24:17 minutes of ice time. ... Joe Pavelski had three takeaways, which was a game-high. He was also 53% from the face off circle (8 of 15). ... Joe Thornton, Tommy Wingels, and Brent Burns all lead the Sharks in shots with four each.

The series shifts back to LA at Staples Center for Game 6, Monday night.

Keep your head up,

Ryan Leong

Tweets by @RyanLeong

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