Kings vs Sharks Game 3: Valiant Failure

Alas, friends, the LA Kings lost their game against the San Jose Sharks at Staples Center, but they put in a strong effort. There’s nothing shameful about an OT loss in the first game of the series… excuse me? This was game 3? Oh. Oh, no.

So, the Kings put in a much better effort on home ice than they did in those two dismal games in the SAP center. Though the Sharks technically need to win one more to close out the series, most people who’ve watched the games agree that it seems like the Kings are done this postseason.
Here are things that looked much improved.

ALL THESE CORSIS

The Kings didn’t crush the Sharks in possession, but they looked a whole lot more like the team LA fans are used to seeing, according to Extra Skater. They out-attempted the Sharks 73 to 65 overall and 56 to 45 at even strength. However the unblocked numbers are nearly dead even. The Kings only had one more unblocked attempt overall.

TOP 6 GOALS

 
Just when the media were starting to criticize top Kings’ players for not contributing goals, fans got two big ones. The first was this beautiful effort from Marian Gaborik. The Kings are known for dirty goals more than beauties, but Gaborik skating the length of the rink and sliding one past goaltender Antti Niemi manages to be both gorgeous and greasy.

 
Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter combined for a go-ahead goal early in the third period that gave Kings fans dangerous hope. Kopitar was really wonderful throughout this night.

ROOKIES

 
I’ve watched Tyler Toffoli’s no-look pass to Stoll on this power play so many times now. He had some nice hustle throughout the game and ended up with a point on the tying goal to show for it.

Tanner Pearson also looked great on the ice. In his first playoff game last season he looked stunned by the pace of the game. This year his speed helped the Kings keep pace with the Sharks in game 3 and will hopefully be an asset in game 4.

Some unlucky bounces plus a persistently bad series for Jonathan Quick and several Kings defensemen meant the home team didn’t get the win, but game three was at least way more fun to watch.