Kings after 2: San Jose 3, Kings 2...and some strange moments

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San Jose’s top line of Dany Heatley, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau produced some pressure but no scoring chances — but the Sharks’ fourth line managed to break through for a 3-1 lead at 12:33 of the second period. Scott Nichol scored it after pivoting from his backhand to his forehand and taking a 20-foot shot.

Then came the craziness.

Ryan Smyth captured the puck as it bounced off the end boards and tucked it inside the post — but San Jose defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic reached behind the goal line and cleared the puck away so quickly that the referee never saw it. Smyth raised his arms in celebration but play continued and didn’t stop until Torrey Mitchell rifled a shot through Jonathan Bernier’s legs at 14:46.

The announced sellout crowd of 17,562 went wild, thinking the Sharks had taken a 4-1 lead. However, Smyth’s shot was reviewed and was ruled a goal —which means the clock was turned back to the time of that goal, 13:35, and Mitchell’s apparent goal was wiped out. That left the Kings facing a 3-2 deficit and left the referees facing a lot of boos and derogatory chants.

The Kings got a power play a few minutes later, after Jamie McGinn was sent off for high-sticking Michal Handzus, but they managed only one shot and no real threat.

More later at www.latimes.com/sports

Helene Elliott in San Jose