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No ordinary Joe: Pavelski leads Sharks to comeback victory over rival Kings

For the San Jose Sharks, Tuesday’s game against the L.A. Kings was more about how they finished than how they started.

In fact, it looked early in the first period like the Sharks would be in over their heads against their California rivals. The Kings held a 2-0 lead before the game was even five minutes old, and held a 21-6 advantage in shots on goal after the opening 20 minutes.

But the Sharks turned the momentum in the second and third periods, coming back from two goals down to score four unanswered, earning a 5-3 victory over the host Kings, who were at home for the first time following a six-game road trip. Joe Pavelski scored the tying goal and the eventual winner just 1:32 apart in the third period, stunning the L.A. crowd.

Pavelski didn’t panic at all on the winner, as he accepted a sweet feed from Joe Thornton, calmly pulled the puck in front and beat Jonathan Quick on the glove side.

Pavelski finished the night with two goals and three points. He now has 10 points in his last five games.

What the win does is put San Jose back into second in the Pacific Division.

The Vancouver Canucks, Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames were all victorious earlier Tuesday, but the Sharks regain a playoff spot heading into the holiday break.

At 36 points, the Sharks now close to within six points of the division-leading Kings, too.