Sharks lead the series 3-1 against the Kings

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks defeated the Los Angeles Kings in game four of the Western Conference playoff series with a final score of 6-3, to lead the series 3-1.
 
In years past, the Sharks often lacked their finesse in the post-season, and many of their top scorers had difficulty scoring; but that all seems to be in the past in this first round playoff series.   The Sharks top three lines scored goals in game four.
 
The first period resulted in a scoreless duel.   But at 3:58 into the second, Ryane Clowe scored the first of his two goals of the night, to put the Sharks on the board first.   A wrist shot by Jason Demers added his first goal of the post season, at 5:12, followed by Clowe’s second goal at 9:28.   Logan Couture had an assist on two of the three goals.
 
The Kings managed to come back during the second part of the period, with two goals of their own by Brad Richardson and Justin Williams, at 11:00 and 16:04 respectively, to cut the Sharks lead to a single goal.
 
Early in the third period Captain Joe Thornton scored his first of the post season at 2:28 assisted by Patrick Marleau, followed just over a minute later with a tip-in goal by Joe Pavelski.   Torrey Mitchell also scored his first of the post season at 11:42 to give the sharks a 6-2 edge.   A tip-in goal by Alexei Ponikarovsky, also his first of the post season at 13:11 would be the only goal allowed in the third by Antti Niemi in the Sharks net.
 
The third period became heated, resulting in a Kings five-on-three opportunity during the final three minutes of the period following a penalty to Dany Heatley and a Scott Nichol 10-minute misconduct, but Niemi and the rest of the Sharks defense fell into place.  
 
In the final seconds of the game, the Kings’ Wayne Simmonds and Kevin Westgarth were each assessed 10-minute misconduct’s, resulting from frustration and a charging minor to Simmonds on the play.  
 
Kings goalie Jonathan Quick had 21 saves for the night, as Sharks netminder Niemi saved 35 for the win.
 
The game was a sell-out, as 18,234 fans were in attendance for the Sharks road win.   Game five is Saturday at the HP Pavilion, where the Sharks will have a chance to win round one on home ice; they lead the series 3-1.
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com