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Sharks aim for 2-0 lead against Kings

Apr 16, 2011 - 3:36 PM (Sports Network) - The second-seeded San Jose Sharks will try to grab a 2-0 series lead when they host the rival Los Angeles Kings tonight in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals at HP Pavilion.

The Sharks won the Pacific Division for a third straight season and entered this series as favorites over their fellow Californian team.

San Jose is trying to make another deep postseason run after getting to the conference finals last spring before being swept by Chicago. Thursday's overtime victory was solid step in the right direction for Todd McLellan's club.

Joe Pavelski's overtime goal sent San Jose to a 3-2 victory over the division rival Kings in the opener of this best-of-seven series.

Kyle Wellwood began the rush that led to the goal, taking the puck down the left-wing side from center ice. He pulled up at the left circle and dished back into the low slot, where Pavelski whipped a wrister inside the right post to end the game 14:44 into overtime.

"Pavs is a tremendous player for us," McLellan said. "We count on him in so many situations. He's really recognized at this time of year as a guy who steps up his play and scores some huge goals."

Dany Heatley and Logan Couture also tallied for the Sharks. Antti Niemi, a Stanley Cup-winning netminder for Chicago last season, began his San Jose playoff career with a 33-save victory.

The Sharks grabbed a 1-0 lead on Heatley's tally just 28 seconds into Game 1, but the Kings would even the score at 2-2 by the end of the second period.

Justin Williams, playing in his first game since suffering a dislocated right shoulder on March 21, scored the second goal for LA and ended with a goal and an assist.

Jonathan Quick played well in defeat, stopping 42-of-45 shots.

"We've got to feel pretty good about how we played in this first game," Kings head coach Terry Murray said.

The Kings, however, will be without forward Jarret Stoll when they try to even the series tonight. Stoll, who had 20 goals and 23 assists in 82 games for LA this year, received a one-game suspension for his hit from behind on San Jose defenseman Ian White during Thursday's loss.

The incident occurred late in the first period when Stoll drove White into the boards. White's head struck the glass and he fell to the ice. The defenseman wound up with a cut to his face and was helped to the dressing room. White did not return as the Sharks won the game in overtime.

White, meanwhile, is doubtful for tonight's game with a head injury. That means either veteran Kent Huskins or rookie Justin Braun is expected to skate in White's place tonight.

San Jose was 25-11-5 as the host this year and will try to grab a two games to none lead before the series shifts to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4. The Kings, who were 21-17-3 as the visiting team this season, will host the next game on Tuesday.

These division rivals split six regular season games this year, but the Sharks held the points edge with a 3-1-2 mark and posted a 6-1 home victory in the final meeting on April 4.

This is the first time the Sharks and Kings are meeting in the postseason.