Kings defeat Sharks in shootout, 4-3
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The ferocious pace and remarkable closeness of the Western Conference playoff race was summed up in the final minutes of the Kings’ 4-3 shootout victory over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night at Staples Center.
The Kings had third-period leads of 2-1 and 3-2 -- the latter thanks to a power-play goal by Dustin Brown at 18:18 — but the Sharks matched them with goals by Patrick Marleau at 16:28 and again at 19:55 to take the game to overtime.
Brown won it in the fifth round of the shootout, lifting the Kings to fifth in the West.
In the shootout, San Jose goalie Antti Niemi stopped Michal Handzus before Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle slowed and lifted a shot over a prone Jonathan Quick. Kings Coach Terry Murray protested that the shot was illegal but Boyle appeared to continue a forward motion and the goal stood. Jarret Stoll scored for the Kings, and Quick stopped Logan Couture. Finally, Brown ripped a shot past Niemi’s glove and Quick stopped Marleau for the victory.
We’ll have more on the game soon at latimes.com/sports.
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