April 20, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) scores a goal against Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) and defenseman Robyn Regehr (44) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. The Sharks defeated the Kings 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Different day, same end result, different method of getting there as the San Jose Sharks took the game and with it the momentum as the Kings unraveled after a fast start.
The Kings, after falling behind 5-0 in game 1, got off to a fast start in this one, taking a 2-0 lead on goals by Jake Muzzin and Trevor Lewis in the first 10 minutes.
Still, Jonathan Quick was the answer in the first period as he was spectacular in making 15 stops, as the Sharks were relentless despite falling behind.
San Jose’s 4th line took over early in the second, as Andrew Desjardins set up both Mike Brown and Raffi Torres for goals in the first 10 minutes to even the score. Justin Braun put the Sharks up by one before the period was out, and the third period was all Sharks as they counted 4 times in the first 10:06 of the frame.
The big 4 for San Jose took over in the third as Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture all scored in the final 20 minutes to turn a close game into a 7-2 rout as the Kings couldn’t match the Sharks’ speed game and puck moving ability.
The Kings can take some solace knowing the success of the home teams in the series between these teams. 23 of the last 25 games between the Sharks and Kings were won by the home team, including all 7 in last year’s playoff. The Kings still need to take 1 in San Jose, but first and foremost they have to get even in their home games, the first of which goes Tuesday night.