Written By Curtis Pashelka at San Jose Mercury News
The Sharks had a three-goal lead early in the third period in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings.
But no lead seems safe in this playoff matchup that’s seen every game decided by the smallest of margins.
Wednesday was no different, as the Sharks scored three power-play goals then survived a late flurry by the Kings to hold onto a 3-2 win at SAP Center, pushing their most heated rivals to the brink of elimination.
“That fourth win is always tough,” said Joe Pavelski, who scored one of the two power-play goals the Sharks had in the second period. “Your desperation has to keep improving each game. They’re going to come out, play a good game, and so are we.”
Brent Burns and Patrick Marleau also scored on the power play, and Martin Jones finished with 26 saves as the Sharks rebounded from Monday’s 2-1 loss in which they went 0 for 5 with the man advantage.
On Burns’ goal that gave San Jose a 1-0 lead 2:09 into the second period, Joel Ward held onto the puck for a split second before he passed it across the ice to the Sharks’ defenseman. The pass froze Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, who appeared to be expecting a Ward shot.
“That’s a couple times where he’s hit me with that,” Burns said of Ward. “That same play where he looks like he’s shooting, shooting, shooting, and he slides it over.”The goal by the second power-play unit seemed to energize the Sharks.
“If you see a guy like Burnzie in the back there, I’d say he’s got a better shot than most of us,” Ward said. “You try and find him. It’s not there all the time, but sometimes there’s a seam available.”
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