SAN JOSE -- It was deja vu all over again for the Sharks who in 2011 found themselves in this same position. That year, Team Teal jumped out to a 3-0 series lead against the Red Wings. The difference here is they won that Game 7.

This time, although they scored first on a goal by Matt Irwin, that would be the last goal of the season as the Kings scored five unanswered goals and beat San Jose 5-1 to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.

So unfortunately, the Sharks become the fourth team, and second in four years to lose a playoff series after winning the first three games. The other teams were the Detroit Red Wings in 1942, the Penguins in 1975, the Boston Bruins in 2010, and now....the Sharks.

This arguably has to be the low point for the franchise when you consider that of all the playoff teams the Sharks have had over the years, this was to be the year. Fans, media, and players were convinced this was the squad with the potential to at least go to the Stanley Cup.

Coach Todd McLellan agreed.

"It's the low point since I've been here. This is as low as it's been for me and the players that have been together for the six years that I've been here. I'm in charge of the group that performs out there on the ice. I have to accept that responsibility. I'm not going to throw any individuals under the bus but we lost it collectively."

Now it's another frustrating offseason with more questions. What moves will be made over the Summer? Does the team make changes to the coaching staff? What about general manager Doug Wilson, how much of this is his responsibility?

Unlike the first two games of this series, the Sharks went back to their predictable habit of passing the puck too much and not crashing the net. They just played like a team trying not to lose instead of trying to win. Bottom line, the Sharks did not deserve to win and they didn't.

The third period was especially painful to watch. Sure the Sharks knew the clock was ticking away and they did absolutely nothing to generate any kind of a rush or good scoring chances. They had problems just skating the puck into the Kings zone.

Breakdown where the Kings get a 3-on-2 rush and an easy goal for Anze Kopitar.

Just like Game 6, when a call went against the Sharks, the Kings capitalized on it scoring successive goals.

Turning point

The Kings first goal of the game on the man advantage.

Game highlights



Contenders

Jonathan Quick - The veteran netminder proved his lousy performances in Games 1 and 2 were just an aberration. He was fantastic between the pipes, making 39 saves for the victory.

Sharks fans - for enduring another disappointing season when they fork over their hard earned money only to have their dreams of a Stanley Cup turn into a recurring nightmare. They deserve better and I salute you for your loyalty.

Drew Doughty - another veteran whose presence changes the game. Maybe someday, the Sharks Marc-Eduoard Vlasic can be a game changer like him but he delivered when his team needed him most.

Pretenders

Sharks team - who doesn't derserve to be on this list. No heart whatsoever.

Joe Thornton - sure he's the reason the Sharks are in the playoffs every year. He's also the reason they exit in the playoffs too. He was invisible in the last four games and so were Patrick Marleau and Brett Burns. The old saying is true. Your top players have to be top players and the Sharks top lines are nowhere on the scoresheet.

Jake Muzzin - If the Kings get one benefit from being in tinseltown, it's all the fine acting they've learned. Nice job faking an elbowing call when he skated into the elbow of Logan Couture. If there's an Oscars category for sports acting, give it to Muzzin. It works as the Kings scored on the ensuing power play.

Sharks special teams - nothing special here. They were 0-for-6 on the power play and gave up a man advantage goal to the Kings which was the first of three straight for Los Angeles and two more on empty netters in garbage time.

Notes

Joe Pavelski played in his 81st career playoff game as a member of the San Jose Sharks. He surpassed former Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov for 4th place on the Sharks all-time playoff games played list. Pavelski had a game high 11 shots. ... Matt Irwin scored his first career playoff goal. It was also his first point of the 2014 playoffs. ... James Sheppard picked up his fourth assist of the 2014 playoffs. He had a point in five of seven games during the 2014 playoffs (2-4=6). Sheppard also had a game-high nine hits. ... Tomas Hertl earned his third career playoff assist. He now has five career playoff points (2-3=5). ... Thornton was 64% from the face off circle (seven of 11).

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