San Jose Sharks Take the First Bite, Win Game One Against Kings

The San Jose Sharks took the first bite in the series, beating the Los Angeles Kings, 4-3, in game one of their first-round series.

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Back in the playoffs for the first time since their embarrassing seven-game first-round loss in 2014, the San Jose Sharks get a chance at revenge for that series less. After winning the first three games of the series against the Los Angeles Kings, the Sharks watched as their rivals won four games in a row to erase the deficit, and eventually go on to win the Stanley Cup.

After missing Lord Stanley’s Tournament last season, San Jose is back in the playoffs with new head coach Peter DeBoer and find themselves pitted against a familiar foe, the Kings.

Playing on the road was kind to San Jose all season, as they led the NHL with a franchise-record 28 wins away from the SAP Center in San Jose. They opened the seven-game series in Los Angeles’ home, the Staples Center, and began their road to redemption with a hard-fought 4-3 win.

The Kings landed the first blow very quickly, as defenseman Jake Muzzin bounced the puck off Tomas Hertl‘s skate and found the back of the net just two minutes and 53 seconds after the initial puck drop. San Jose didn’t wait too long to respond, as Joe Pavelski‘s power play shot from the left faceoff zone rocketed past Jonathan Quick, knotting the game at one goal apiece, which would be the score when the first period horn sounded.

San Jose took their first lead nearly seven minutes into the second period, when Joel Ward won a faceoff and passed out to Brent Burns. Before guys even had a chance to look up following the faceoff, Burns ripped a shot from near the blue line that zoomed past Quick before he could get his pads on it.

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The theme of this game became quick answers, and the Kings answered 40 seconds after Burns’ goal. The Sharks’ short-lived lead was wiped away by Kings’ center Jeff Carter, whose shot attempt deflected off Sharks’ defender Paul Martin‘s body, and then bounced off goalie Martin Jones‘ shoulder before coming to rest in the net.

With about three minutes left in the second, Los Angeles jumped back in front. While shorthanded, Kings’ center Trevor Lewis snuck past a sprawling Burns and beat Burns to light the lamp and put the Kings ahead 3-2. In another quick response, the Sharks re-tied the game 30 seconds later when Tomas Hertl came out of a large scrum of players with the puck, and five-holed Quick. The second period ended with both teams at three goals apiece.

Just 17 seconds into the final frame, captain Pavelski took matters into his own hands. Taking a pass off the boards from Justin Braun, Pavelski made his way behind Quick’s net before turning up ice and beating Quick on a beautiful, yet very difficult wraparound that proved to be a game winner. The final 19 minutes and 43 seconds would find each team going scoreless, with Jones taking command in the net for San Jose. The Kings had good looks, but were unable to beat Jones to tie the score again. Even as they emptied the net in the final minute, the Kings could not break through the Sharks’ defense.

Pavelski (two goals), Burns (one goal, one assists), and Joel Ward (two assists) all collected two points for the Sharks. Hertl added a goal, while Braun, Joonas Donskoi, and Logan Couture each added an assist. Jones and Quick both saved 19 shots, but Quick let just one more slip past.

Next: Sharks Clinch Playoff Berth, Beat Rivals

If this game is any indication of what’s to come, this will be another hard-hitting, physical series. The two teams combined for 68 hits, with Los Angeles piling up 36. Of course, with these two teams, you wouldn’t expect any less.

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