LOS ANGELES – Turns out, the Sharks can win the close games in their playoff series with the Kings, too.
After two fairly easy victories in San Jose, the Sharks required overtime in taking a three-games-to-none series lead on Los Angeles, as Patrick Marleau’s overtime goal was the difference in a 4-3 win at Staples Center on Tuesday night.
The Kings dominated the early part of overtime, getting the first five shots on goal, but San Jose converted on its first attempt.
The winning play began when Scott Hannan tried to wrap the puck in deep around the wall. Slava Voynov got a piece of it, but it deflected right to Marleau in the faceoff circle. The Sharks' all-time leading scorer played the puck off of his skates to his backhand, before softly lifting the puck past Jonathan Quick at 6:20 off of Voynov's stick. It was Marleau's fourth career playoff overtime goal.
San Jose will go for the series sweep on Thursday at Staples Center.
The see-saw battle saw the Kings take a 3-2 third period lead before the Sharks tied it to force overtime.
Jeff Carter’s first of the series came just 51 seconds into the final frame. On the power play, Anze Kopitar was given all kinds of time at the top of the circle, and his attempt was redirected over Antti Niemi with James Sheppard serving out the remaining time on a tripping minor late in the second.
Tomas Hertl’s second goal of the series midway through the third made it 3-3, though. The rookie banged away at a rebound loose in the crease, finally finding success on his fourth whack just three seconds after a Sharks power play had expired.
The Sharks outshot the Kings 23-8 over the final 20 minutes, and had a golden opportunity to win it in regulation when Jarret Stoll interfered with Logan Couture in front of the bench at 18:02. Quick made some key saves, though, denying Joe Pavelski’s one-timer from the dot with 1:10 to go, and getting his pad on Couture’s backhand on a rebound with just 10 seconds left.
After killing off an early Joe Thornton penalty, a power play goal put the Sharks up 1-0. Brent Burns flubbed a one-timer, but the wounded duck fluttered over Quick at 3:16 for the only goal of the first period.
The Kings responded in the second, outplaying the Sharks for the first half of the middle frame. Jason Demers’ delay of game penalty allowed Los Angeles to tie the game with its first power play goal of the series, as Stoll rifled in a one-timer from Tyler Toffoli at 4:48.
Trade deadline acquisition Marian Gaborik finally made his presence known in giving the Kings their first lead. On a three-on-two rush, Gaborik cut to the net past Scott Hannan and flicked in the go-ahead marker at 7:59.
The Sharks didn’t have a single shot on goal in the second before Gaborik found the net, but found their legs after it. Matt Nieto’s first career playoff marker re-tied it at 9:17, when he deflected a Demers floater after Quick had been knocked over by his own defenseman, Robyn Regehr.
The Sharks are the first Western Conference team to win on the road. Home teams are 11-1 so far.
Special teams
The Kings had failed on all four of their power play attempts through the first two games, but finished Game 3 with two goals on four attempts.
The Sharks were 1-for-4, and are now 3-for-13 in the series.
In goal
Niemi stopped 28 shots in recording his third straight win. He improved to 12-2 career in playoff overtime, including 9-1 with the Sharks.
Quick, who allowed 12 goals in the first two games, let four more goals in on 40 shots.
Lineup
The Sharks did not make any lineup changes. Pavelski started the game on the Thornton-Burns line, but was shifted to the third line early on.
Los Angeles inserted Tanner Pearson and Jordan Nolan into their lineup, scratching Matt Greene and Kyle Clifford. Colin Fraser, recalled on Monday, was also scratched.
Up next
Game 5, if necessary, would be back at SAP Center on Saturday. The time has yet to be determined.
The Sharks-Kings winner will face the winner of the Ducks-Stars first round series. Anaheim leads Dallas, two games to one.
Instant Replay: Marleau's OT goal gives Sharks 3-0 series lead
Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 9:00pm
