San Jose Sharks Drop Third Straight, Kings Force Game 7

Apr 28, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Mike Richards (10) and San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) fight during the third period in game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Kings won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The San Jose Sharks fell to the Los Angeles Kings by the final score of 4-1 meaning we will have a game seven to end this series. This comes after the Sharks had a 3-0 series lead and had their biggest rival on the ropes. Now it seems the roles have reversed.

This evening’s loss comes amid a controversial goal allowed by the officials which they then tried to review. Unfortunately, the situation was deemed non-reviewable so instead the original goal call stood.

That original call deemed a goal came after the puck appeared to be under the legs of Alex Stalock although the official decided to not blow his whistle. The puck did look like it could have been loose next to Stalock’s leg though, so that is not the issue.

However, as a result of the whistle not being blown Justin Williams tried jabbing at the puck and ended up pushing Stalock backwards, and in turn the puck, which eventually went into the net. Have a look for yourself and see where you stand on the play.

For what it’s worth, former NHL official Kerry Fraser posted his take on Twitter in successive posts. Section 69.6 deals with rebounds and loose pucks:

"I would disallow Kings 2’nd goal re: 69.6. Once Stalock made initial save even though portion of puck became visible to ref from behind. Overriding factor is J. Williams did not put puck into net legally w/ stick but pushed Stalock backwards with his stick causing momentum & Resulting in the puck to cross goal line. This is no different than crashing the net."

After that questionable call the Kings had all the fire and momentum and they took advantage of the Sharks who were starting to take chances because they were now down by a goal.

Give credit to the Kings who followed that second goal with two more by Anze Kopitar– one on a power play– to make it a 4-1 game, all of which occurred in a span of under three minutes. It was a complete unraveling after the debated goal and at that point things got ugly.

From then on the San Jose Sharks, with frustrations boiling over, started picking fights with the most interesting one coming between Mike Richards and Logan Couture.

Prior to the mess, midway through the third period, the game was a tight one with both goaltenders playing very strong. Stalock, who got the start over the struggling Antti Niemi, was especially strong in the first period and kept the San Jose Sharks in the game while they were down 1-0.

The lone goal scored by the Sharks came off the stick of James Sheppard on a deflected Justin Braun shot. Martin Havlat, who was inserted into this evenings lineup in favor of Mike Brown, was also in front of the net providing a partial screen. That would be it though as far as San Jose goals who have been held to just one goal in the past two games.

Overall another rough loss for the San Jose Sharks who had a particularly strong second period although they went 0-4 on the power play including a two-man advantage spanning 1:30.

The San Jose Sharks have now seen their dominating 3-0 lead dwindle to a winner-take-all scenario. But, that is why you want to get the higher seeds, that way if something like this does happen you get to play game seven at home. And with one of the best home environments in the league, the advantage is real. All it takes is one, and here’s hoping it turns out being game seven on Wednesday night.

GGS 3 Stars
1. Justin Williams (2 goals, 1 assist)
2. Anze Kopitar (2 goals, 1 assist)
3. Jonathan Quick (25 saves)