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Sharks outlast rival Kings in a wild one to take series opener

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Joe Pavelski scored twice, including the game-winner, as the Sharks picked up a huge road win over the Kings in Game 1.

Take a deep breath, hockey fans.

The first installment in the highly-anticipated series between the L.A. Kings and San Jose Sharks was a back-and-forth, hard-hitting and overall thrilling opener between two California rivals that have endured the emotional and physical tolls of facing each other in the playoffs before.

Joe Pavelski scored the winner, and his second of the game, just 17 seconds into the third period. The Sharks earned a 4-3 victory to take Game 1. The Kings pushed for the equalizer with a frantic offensive push in the final minute, but couldn’t get their shot attempts on target.

Martin Jones, the former Kings netminder and now backstopping the Sharks, got the best of his former teammate Jonathan Quick, making 21 saves on 24 shots.

Quick stopped 19 of 23 shots, and had help from Drew Doughty in the second period, as the Kings’ defenseman went old school by stacking his pads to rob Patrick Marleau of what looked to be a sure goal.

There were four lead changes in this game. In the second period, when the Sharks took their first lead on a goal from Brent Burns, the Kings responded 40 seconds later to tie the game. Later in the period, when the Kings took their second lead, the Sharks responded with another equalizer 30 seconds later.

Kings’ defenseman Alec Martinez missed the entire third period. If he is out with an injury, then it would put even more pressure on the Kings’ blue line, Doughty in particular.

Doughty ended the night with 29:19 of ice time. That included 11:02 of ice time, all at even strength, in the third period.

From LA Kings Insider, quoting Kings’ coach Darryl Sutter:

“He didn’t play in the third period,” Sutter said when responding to a question about Martinez’s absence. “He didn’t play most of the second period, either.” There were no other updates after the game.