San Jose Sharks 9, Los Angeles Kings 1 (Game 71)

The Sharks (69-1-0) and Kings (32-29-8) met for the third time this season, with the Sharks playing host at HP Pavilion in San Jose. The Sharks had won both prior meetings, and for this game both teams donned their vintage throwback jerseys. 

Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks (Game 35)

Vesa Toskala (SJ) and Roman Cechmanek (LA) started in goal. The Sharks opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal by Vincent Damphousse (SJ), which was followed by a goal by Scott Hannan (SJ) to give the Sharks a 2-0 lead heading into the 2nd period.  

Patrick Marleau (SJ) scored shorthanded nine seconds into the 2nd period to give the Sharks a 3-0 lead, but Mattias Nordstrom (LA) answered on the powerplay for the Kings' first goal of the game. Teemu Selanne (SJ) responded with a goal to extend the Sharks' lead to 4-1, but Luc Robitaille (LA) scored to pull the Kings back to within 4-2 to end the 2nd period. 

Jaroslav Modry (LA) scored midway through the 3rd period to pull the Kings to within 4-3 of the Sharks, and Jonathan Cheechoo (SJ) was called for tripping in the final minute of the game. On the ensuing Los Angeles powerplay, Vincent Damphousse won the faceoff in the Sharks' zone and Dan McGillis banked his clearing attempt off the boards and into the empty Kings net, giving the Sharks a 5-3 victory. The Kings outshot the Sharks 29-23, and the players selected as the three stars of the game were: 

​ 3) Jaroslav Modry (LA) registered one goal, zero assists and -1
2) Vincent Damphousse (SJ) registered one goal, one assist and +3
1) Dan McGillis (SJ) registered one goal, one assist and +2

San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings (Game 36)

The second meeting of the season took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Roman Cechmanek (LA) again started for the Kings, while Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) replaced Vesa Toskala in goal for the Sharks. 

Marco Sturm (SJ) opened the scoring midway through the first period to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead heading into the 2nd period. 

The Sharks then scored five straight goals in the 2nd period, courtesy of Mike Ricci, Patrick Marleau (two goals), Marco Sturm and Teemu Selanne to take a 6-0 lead into the 3rd period. The Sharks also outshot the Kings 20-16 by the 2nd intermission. 

Teemu Selanne (SJ) opened the third period scoring on a breakaway goal, and Brad Stuart (SJ) scored a shorthanded goal to give the Sharks an 8-0 victory. The Sharks outshot the Kings 26-25, and the players selected as the three stars of the game were: 

3) Patrick Marleau (SJ) registered two goals, zero assists and +5
2) Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) registered 25 saves on 25 shots
1) Marco Sturm (SJ) registered two goals, one assist and +4

Tonight's Game: Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks (Game 71)

The 1st period saw the Sharks dominate with goals by Adam Graves (PP), Dan McGillis, Mike Rathje, and a hat trick by captain Patrick Marleau, who started and ended the first period scoring. The Sharks converted on 2/5 powerplays and held the Kings to only 3 shots on goal to the Sharks' 17 in the first period. 

The second period saw a reversal of fortunes, as the Sharks failed to register a goal (despite launching 15 shots on net), but the Kings recorded a shorthanded goal by Jozef Stumpel. It was the first shorthanded goal against for the Sharks all season, and the 2nd period ended with the Sharks leading 6-1. 

Adam Graves (SJ) opened the scoring in the 3rd period for San Jose, and Marco Sturm and Niko Dimitrakos added goals of their own to give the Sharks a 9-1 victory. The Sharks outshot the Kings 41-20, and the following three players were selected as the three stars of the game: 

3) Adam Graves (SJ) registered two goals, zero assists and +1
2) Marco Sturm (SJ) registered one goal, one assist and +2
1) Patrick Marleau (SJ) registered three goals, zero assists and +4

The Sharks will now travel to the American Airlines Arena to face the Dallas Stars, whom the Sharks are 4-0-0 against this season. Evgeni Nabokov, who will start for San Jose, has only allowed one goal in three contests against the Stars this season. The game is scheduled to premiere on Saturday, May 24th at 9:00PM.