After scoring the opening goal on their first shot of the game, the Sharks settled into their defensive game, shutting down the likes of Anze Kopitar, Tyler Toffoli and Drew Doughty en route to a 2-1 win.
Advertisement
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill).
Joe Pavelski notched two goals – including the game-winner 17 seconds into the third period – for the Sharks in Game 1, while Brent Burns and Tomas Hertl also lit the lamp for San Jose.
Philadelphia Flyers 0 Washington Capitals 2 (Capitals lead series 1-0): The Capitals won with excellent defense on penalty kills and taking advantage of the power play. But the Bruins were up front in saying they could be flipping Jones to San Jose in a deal for a number one draft pick.
The San Jose Sharks claim game one of the series after both teams showed an incredible never-say-die attitude, playing strong hockey throughout the game. Of course, if Joe Thornton continues his great play, I wouldn’t be surprised if he spearheaded the Sharks attack tonight. But judging by the Sharks’ performance in winning the first two games of this first-round series, begging might be the Kings’ best method to prevail when the series shifts to San Jose for Game 3 on Monday and Game 4 on Wednesday. “That’s all it means”. Obviously, a game does not come without its improvements, and here’s what the Sharks should look to change.
Los Angeles was uncharacteristically sloppy in its own end in Game 1, leading to hesitancy that burned them more often than not.
“Big goal again by our captain”, DeBoer said.
Here is a replay of the goal, if you haven’t seen it yet. Once the puck became contested in the home plate area, the defending Kings seem to absolutely lose their minds. Officially, the Kings were listed as missing the net 19 times and having 15 of their shots blocked by the Sharks. “That’s what this team does”.
Martin Jones was very solid in the win, making 21 saves to earn his first career playoff victory. “But I think we have another level, too”.
Gaborik had been sidelined with a knee injury since February 12 and was fairly effective despite not registering a point in his first game back.
“We’ve been good on the road all year”, Pavelski said.
The San Jose Sharks set a franchise record when posting the best road record in the National Hockey League during the regular season, and they continued their success away from home in their playoff opener.
I love this Sharks team because of plays like this. The Sharks were observably better in most aspects, and Pavelski made sure they were rewarded. We’re not getting enough second-chance opportunities.
Martinez, who played in every game of the Kings’ Stanley Cup championship runs in 2012 and 2014, is a key ingredient on L.A.’s blueline.
“We’re beating ourselves out there”, Gaborik said. “Right now, we’re not doing a good enough job of it. We need to figure it out quick if we want to turn things around. We don’t give them a lot of room to skate”, Sharks defenseman Paul Martin said. Jones mostly has the experience of watching Quick get that experience.
He also got the Sharks off to a pretty good start in their quest to erase their memories of the last time they took on the Los Angeles Kings in the postseason.
The Sharks and Kings go head-to-head in Game 2 of their Round 1 series as part of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Advertisement
The Kings dressed defenseman Jamie McBain in place of Alec Martinez, who is out with an unspecified injury.
