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Sharks lose to Kings
By Dave Fowkes January 4, 2010 |
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(San Jose, CA) -- The San Jose Sharks looked great when it came to shots on goal, unfortunately for Sharks fans it was the Kings that scored the goals. Los Angeles came into San Jose and blasted the Sharks 6-2 snapping an eight game win streak for San Jose. Drew Doughty had a career high four assists and Michal Handzus and Anze Kopitar each had a goal and an assist to lead the Kings. The story of the game though was goaltender Jonathan Quick who stoned the Sharks for much of the game. Quick was good for 45 saves on the night. The Sharks played well for much of the first two periods but a couple of defensive breakdowns led to quick goals for Los Angeles. And when they got rolling, they could not be stopped. The Kings would score three goals over 3:25 near the end of the first period to make a very close first period into a big lead. “Physically we were there but the mental mistakes were unacceptable,” Coach Todd McLellan said. “I don’t know where everyone’s heads were but we were taught a pretty good lesson tonight.” Likewise in the second period, the Kings would score two goals in just 14 seconds to blow things open 5-0. Then 13 seconds into the 3rd period the Kings would make it 6-0 and the game was basically over. Evgeni Nabokov was pulled during the second intermission after giving up five goals on 16 shots. The penalty kill was a tough one tonight as the Kings went 3/5 on the power play versus the Sharks 1/5. “We were off in a lot of areas tonight,” Patrick Marleau said. “The power play was one of them. Penalty kill, power plays, now it’s back to work.” After a fairly even first period the Kings struck first with a helping bounce off the back wall. Handzus got the friendly bounce and did a wrap around for the first goal and his 10th of the year. Shortly after that on the power play the Kings would strike again. There was confusion among the defense when Dan Boyle lost his stick. While the Sharks tried to adjust, Handzus found Oscar Moller in the slot for an easy slap shot and 2-0 lead. To end the third period the Kings just beat the Sharks defense. Again on the power play Doughty had a cross ice pass to Kopitar who got behind the defense for the easy tip in and a 3-0 lead. It was near the end of the second period that the Kings went back to back again. Ryan Smith etched his 12th goal of the season with a wrist shot through traffic. 14 seconds later Wayne Simmonds got position again on the defense and took a pass in front of the net for an easy wrist shot to open up the game. Scott Parse would get his seventh goal to up the third period and open up the six goal lead. San Jose would finally get on the board three minutes later. Douglas Murray scored on the power play. With seven minutes left in the game, Patrick Marleau would tie the NHL lead for goals by knocking in his 27th of the year. Marleau skated right into the middle of the zone between four defenders for a quick wrist shot over Quick. The loss leaves the Sharks with 61 points which is now tied with Chicago for first in the Western Conference. The Sharks try to get back on track on Wednesday when they host the St. Louis Blues. GAME NOTES: - Patrick Marleau scored his 27th goal of the season tying Marian Gaborik for the league lead. - Joe Thornton recorded his 900th career point with an assist in the third period. Thornton is now tied with Andy Bathgate for 67th on the all-time NHL assists list (624). - Jody Shelley suited up for his 500th NHL game. - Douglas Murray potted his third goal of the season. Murray now has goals in two straight games (2-1=3) and has tied his career high single season point total (10). - Scott Nichol recorded an assist giving him his first two-game point streak of the season. - The Sharks outshot the Kings 47-20. It is the third time the team has outshot its opponent by a margin of 20 or more this season and the second time in a losing cause. (MR: 40-20 in a 5-2 loss vs. Colorado opening night 10/1/09) |
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