LA Kings beat the San Jose Sharks in the shootout as the playoffs approach (3/11)
The LA Kings beat the Pacific Division leading San Jose Sharks in a critical game as the playoffs approach. Dustin Brown was the #1 star of the game deservingly so as he scored 2 goals in regulation and one big one in the shootout to give the home Kings a 4-3 win. After a scoreless first period, things started opening up as the hot of lately Joe Pavelski scored a power play goal on a tip in to make it 1-0. Brown tied it up as he picked up a loose puck near the net and stuffed it in. Willie Mitchell gave LA a 2-1 lead with a slap shot past Sharks goalie Antti Niemi after some great hustle by Oscar Moller and Ryan Smith setting up the play. Moller just got called up to replace injured winger Justin Williams who is out at least for the regular season with a shoulder injury. Brown said we were up holding a lead, then gave it up only to come back and win in the shootout after missing on some good scoring chances. That was tough but we got the important 2 points, he said.
Goalie Jonathon Quick improved to 9-0 in shootouts and also agreed about the big win even though the Sharks snuck out a point on a late goal by Patrick Marleau with 5 seconds left in the game pouncing on a loose, deflected puck after Brown scored with 1.42 left to put them back up. Jarret Stoll has been on fire on shootouts this season as he scored for his 8th in 9 attempts this season. Quick played a solid overall game making some key saves late in the game, overtime and in the shootout to preserve the victory. He will be the one the team will count on down the stretch.
The Kings are trying to catch the Sharks and Phoenix and stay in front of a few other teams in this tight battle for the playoffs. For more info, stats and tickets for the rest of the season and playoffs, visit www.kings.nhl.com