Sharks dump Kings, 3-1

As the NHL season passes the halfway mark, the San Jose Sharks have found their game with a 10-2-2 record over their 14 games.

On Monday night, they defeated the visiting Los Angeles Kings, 3-1.

Joonas Donskoi, Tomas Hertl and Joe Thornton struck for the Sharks’ goals.

Erik Karlsson assisted on all three goals.

“I think the two points is the big part,” Karlsson said when asked about his streak. “I think that we’ve come together as a team and we’re playing better and better as the season gets long. That’s all that matters, as long as you win games. Everybody’s contributing, whatever you do out there, and I think that’s been the mindset in here with the entire group, that it doesn’t really matter who does it, as long as someone does it and everybody does it together.”

Martin Jones made 22 saves to get the win.

There was not down for San Jose after their big win over the Tampa Bay Lightning over the weekend.

“We had an emotional win the other night, and you always wonder how you’re going to come back,” Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer said. “I think playing L.A. helped with that because we know it’s going to be a hard game and you have to show up and play a man’s game against them in order to have some success. I thought we did a good job tonight.

“I was a little concerned because we had some chances to extend the lead, a couple empty nets and some good opportunities to really get out in front and we missed them and let them hang around a little bit. But that was the only thing I was concerned about.”

Anze Kopitar scored the lone Kings goal.

“We need two, three goals every night to win,” Drew Doughty said. “We can’t get four one night and one the next.”

San Jose improved to 24-13-7.

“We played pretty well the last couple, especially in the third period with leads. It’s pretty encouraging the way we played, and hopefully we can just keep it rolling here,” Jones said after the win.

LA dropped to 17-24-3.

“It’s the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings. It’s a rivalry game, and as much as we respect them, we hate them. We’re chasing them trying to get back to a [Stanley Cup] Playoff spot. Emotions run high and sometimes it gets chippy. I love a chippy game,” Doughty said.

[WATCH: All Kings vs. Sharks highlights]

Jack Campbell made 26 saves in the loss.

“I thought we battled,” Campbell said. “We played a good game and deserved to win. I needed to make the save on the second goal.”