SAN JOSE -- This is a big test for the Sharks, three games in four days against some of the NHL's best Western Conference foes.
This stretch which includes back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday against the Blues and Ducks respectively is a measuring stick for Team Teal. The three teams are separated by two points. It's still early in the season but the first matchup of the season between the Kings in San Jose did not disappoint as the game went to overtime assuring both teams of a point.
In the shootout, it went to eight rounds. Antti Niemi made a save on Justin Williams snap shot but as the puck trickled by him he couldn't stick the puck aside and he hopelessly saw it cross over the goal line to keep the shootout going.
Joe Thornton finally won it with a pretty backhand move in the crease for the eventual game winner as the Sharks prevailed 3-2.
When asked about his contributions to scoring his first shootout goal since 2007, Thornton said,"I'm begging coach but he doesn't tend to look my way in a shootout but it was nice to be involved in one."
On the importance of the victory he added, "Down in their building it's a one goal game and tonight it's another one goal game, so both teams compete hard against each other. You know it's going to come down to either overtime or a shootout and it did...we're glad to come away with the two points. Our games against them are big. It's good to see where we are as a team and after the first shift we responded well and played well and hard for the rest of the night."
The two teams haven't lost in awhile on home ice with the Sharks having won seven in a row at the Tank and the Kings taking the last six at Staples Center. The Sharks last loss on home ice to LA was a 4-0 Kings shutout on Dec. 27, 2010.
The win puts the Sharks in second place in the West although St. Louis has 39 points while San Jose has 37.
Brent Burns is still recovering from his injury. He appears to be tentative on the ice but hopefully he'll be back to his old aggressive self in a few weeks.
Turning point
The Drew Doughty goal which eventually sent the game to a shootout.
Goal descriptions
1. Jeff Carter gives the Kings the lead on LA's first shot. The puck is dumped off the end boards on the right side of the net and then Dwight King on a mini drop pass with a perfect feed to Carter whose wrister beats Antti Niemi 18 seconds into the game.
2. Joe Pavelski skates in and fires a shot near the crease for the equalizer.
3. Joe Thornton's long reach on the semi-wraparound, the puck goes off the right leg of Scrivens into the net.
4. Drew Doughty fires a shot off the right skate of Scott Hannan for the perfect deflection into the net.
5. In the shootout, Joe Thornton made a move to the backhand deep in the crease to get the puck past Scrivens.
Even for those who hate shootouts, this one was worth watching so here it is in its entirety:
Shootout: Kings vs. Sharks
Contenders
Joe Thornton - who always gets criticized for not shooting the puck enough, does score his third goal of the season and of course the game winner in the shootout.
Andrew Desjardins - with a borderline elbow to the head of Daniel Carcillo midway through the first period. Desjardins gets a minor for boarding but the penalty helps fire the team up.
Antti Niemi - stones Mike Richards after he picks Dan Boyle's pocket in the slot at 10:29 in the first period creating a 2-on-0 breakaway. Niemi makes the point blank save on Richards backhand attempt.
Sharks penalty kill - prevents the Kings from scoring on a double minor penalty, particularly the group on the ice that was out there a minute longer than they would have liked because they couldn't clear the zone.
Pretenders
Dan Boyle - careless with the puck creating that open ice turnover and a great scoring chance for Mike Richards. Boyle also put the team in a tough spot with his high-sticking double minor.
Sharks power play - we've seen this before, just not getting many shots or good opportunities on the man advantage. The last power play of the night, not even a shot on goal.
Notes
Including playoffs, home teams are 18-0-1 in the last 19 games between the Sharks and Kings. ... Todd McLellan coached in his 400th game with San Jose. ... Thornton is now in sole possession of 50th place on the all-time points list with 1,143.
Not much rest for the men in teal. After Thanksgiving it's back on the ice for a Friday 1p.m. matinee vs. the Blues so there won't be time for a morning skate.
Keep your head up, Ryan Leong