The Los Angeles Kings traveled to Northern California on Friday night to take on division rivals the San Jose Sharks. Both teams were riding winning streaks, with the Kings having won their last two games -- both by shootouts following overtime play -- and the Sharks looking for their fourth straight win. In the end, however, it was the Sharks that kept their winning ways rolling.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise that this game also went to overtime and another shootout. The second period saw the only regulation time goals of the game. Logan Couture put the Sharks on the board with a snap shot at 7:53. The Kings answered back as time wound down in the period, when Mike Richards netted his 13th goal of the season on a snap shot of his own at 18:52, with assists from Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty.
That would be the extent of the scoring until the shootout. Jonathan Quick was stellar throughout the game, saving 34 of 35 San Jose shots on goal. Unfortunately, the offense remained mired in their slump, taking 29 shots on goal and making this the 14th straight game in which the Kings have score two or fewer goals.
The game went to a shootout, with both teams missing the first three attempts. Quick saved shots by Joe Pavelski and Michal Handzus, after which Dan Boyle missed. The Kings fared no better through their first three shootout opportunities. Jarret Stoll's shot was saved Kopitar missed and Dustin Brown's shot was blocked. Ryane Clowe came up next for the Sharks and knocked in his shot, after which Richards had his shot blocked by Antti Niemi for the 2-1 Sharks win. The win gives San Jose 41 points and ties them with the Dallas Stars for the lead in the Pacific Division.
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