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Sharks best the Kings in Pacific Division clash

Logan Couture

San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, April 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The Associated Press

It’s obvious the San Jose Sharks and L.A. Kings really don’t like each other. They showed that Thursday night, and it’s setting up like they might renew this rivalry in the playoffs.

The Sharks, thanks to second period goals from Brent Burns and Logan Couture, defeated the Kings, playing their second game in as many nights, by a final score of 2-1. As a result, the Sharks move to within one point of the Anaheim Ducks for first in the Pacific Division.

As per TSN, the Sharks clinch home ice in the opening round of the playoffs.

There wasn’t much room for either team to create in the offensive zone. But this game wasn’t short on intensity or emotion, something you’d come to expect from two California teams. Jason Demers of the Sharks was involved, called for tripping when he stuck out his knee on Kings’ defenseman Jake Muzzin and sent him flying through the air in the first period.

“I wanted to hit something tonight, that’s all. That was the game plan,” said Sharks’ forward Joe Thornton, as per Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area.

The physical toll in the game could have a negative impact for the Kings. They lost defenseman Drew Doughty in the first period with an upper-body injury, suffered when he attempted to throw a hit in the defensive end. He didn’t return to the game.

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