Marleau’s OT Winner Gives San Jose Sharks 3-0 Series Lead Over Kings

The San Jose Sharks beat the Los Angeles Kings in Games 1 and 2 via blowouts at home. They won Game 3 in a nail-biting, overtime thriller on the road. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The San Jose Sharks beat the Los Angeles Kings in Games 1 and 2 via blowouts at home. They won Game 3 in a nail-biting, overtime thriller on the road.

Patrick Marleau scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the Sharks defeated the Kings 4-3. It came at the 6:20 mark of the first overtime. After some controlled time in the Kings’ zone, Marleau backhanded a shot that deflected off the stick of Slava Voynov, past several bodies in front, and past Jonathan Quick.

It concluded a game that went back-and-forth, which many expected this series to be prior to Game 1.

The Sharks got on the board first on the power play, early in the first period. It was a one-timer off the stick of Brent Burns that pinballed in front of the net off several bodies.

But for the first time all series long, the Kings responded. They tied the game on the power play at the 4:48 mark of the second, when terrific puck movement ended in a Jarret Stoll slapshot past Antti Niemi. Three minutes later, on a three-on-two break, Marian Gaborik used the other two Kings as decoys, skated in, and backhanded on into the net to give the Kings a 2-1 lead.

San Jose struck back a bit later, however. Matt Nieto deflected a shot from the point by Jason Demers, which bounced its way past Quick to tie the game. It was Nieto’s first career playoff goal.

The teams would trade goals in the third period. On a power play that carried over from the end of the second, Anze Kopitar‘s shot was tipped in by Jeff Carter just 51 seconds in. But for the Sharks, yet another rookie would deliver. This time, it was Tomas Hertl, pounding in a rebound on second and third efforts. Tied at the three, the two teams went back and forth for the final half of the third period, but neither could convert. The Sharks had several glorious chances on a power play that concluded regulation, but Quick stood tall and game went to overtime.

The Sharks outshot the Kings 40-31. They only managed one shot in overtime to the Kings’ five, but it was that one shot which mattered most.

Tale of the Tape

Sharks:

• Shots on goal: 40
• Power play: 1-for-4
• Hits: 45
• Giveaways: 8
• Takeaways: 7
• Faceoffs won: 35

Kings:

• Shots on goal: 31
• Power play: 2-for-4
• Hits: 53
• Giveaways: 11
• Takeaways: 4
• Faceoffs won: 36

Good to Know

What’s On Tap

The Sharks will go for the sweep on Thursday in Game 4.