In Los Angeles Thursday, the San Jose Sharks opened their first round series with the Kings with a 4-3 win to take the series lead.
Joe Pavelski had two goals including the winner with just 17 seconds gone in the third period on a wraparound.
“I didn’t know it went in, to be honest,” Pavelski said. “I heard it hit the post … I’m like, ‘Oh, God, it might have the post. It might be laying there.’ I’ll have to get back to work. And it’s a goal.”
Joe Pavelski had two goals in win over Kings – Photo by Jack Lima
Pavelski’s first goal came in the opening frame when he tied the game at 1-1.
“Big-game guy for us,” San Jose coach Peter DeBoer said. “He’s our captain for a reason. He scores a lot of key goals … he’s been clutch like that for us all season.”
Martin Jones made 21 saves for the win in his fist Stanley Cup playoff action.
The Sharks trailed 1-0 and 3-2 before rallying for the win.
“There was no panic there,” DeBoer said. “I liked our response. We fell behind 1-0, then we fell behind 3-2. Both times we came back with big responses. I think we’re comfortable on the road and I thought we played a real good road game.”
Tomas Hertl and Brent Burns also scored for the Sharks.
Both teams scored power play goals; the Sharks were 1-for-4 and the Kings scored once in three chances.
“We have to do a better job staying out of the box, and that our mistakes don’t result in goals against,” LA’s Anze Kopitar said. “Obviously it’s not ideal to lose the first game, especially at home.”
Trevor Lewis, Jeff Carter and Jake Muzzin scored for the Kings.
Lewis’ goal was shorthanded.
“We had all the momentum on a penalty-kill goal,” Dustin Brown said. “We’ve been [off on] little things … we just weren’t sharp.”
Jonathan Quick took the loss on 19 saves.
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