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Kings and Sharks renew rivalry in LA

Nov 28, 2011 - 3:44 PM (Sports Network) - The San Jose Sharks try to rebound from their first loss in five games this evening as they visit the Pacific Division-rival Los Angeles Kings and the Staples Center.

The Sharks had outscored their opponents 14-4 over their recent winning streak and notched a shutout win over the Blackhawks on Wednesday prior to Saturday's 3-2 setback to the Canucks. Andrew Murray scored a first-period goal and San Jose held a 16-4 shot advantage in the third period.

However, the only goal came from Patrick Marleau with 1:15 left and the Sharks could not net the equalizer.

Despite the loss, which also featured 24 saves from Antti Niemi, head coach Todd McLellan was not displeased with San Jose's efforts.

"It was probably the best game we played in the last five and it was the one we happened to lose," Sharks head coach Todd McLellan said.

San Jose brings an excellent 7-2-0 road record into this meeting and battles a Los Angeles team that lost the opener of a four-game homestand on Saturday. That 2-1 loss to the Blackhawks was also the Kings' third in four games overall.

Jarret Stoll had Los Angeles' only goal, ending a 17-game goal drought, and Jonathan Quick made 25 saves as the Kings lost for the first time in regulation this season when allowing two goals or fewer.

"Holding them to two goals is good, but scoring just one goal is not good," said Los Angeles head coach Terry Murray. "We need to be much better getting the puck to the net. We had four or five good looks and it's just not going in."

Mike Richards had a streak of five straight games with a goal, a career high, snapped.

San Jose notched a 4-2 home win over Los Angeles in the first meeting of the year between the clubs on Nov. 7. This series has been tight over the years, with the two franchises splitting the past 14 meetings overall.

Marleau posted a goal and two assists in the victory, while Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton added two-point nights and Niemi made 29 saves. San Jose's goaltender is a solid 6-1-2 with a 1.74 goals-against average and two shutouts in his career versus the Kings.

Anze Kopitar paced the Kings' offense with a goal and an assist, while Quick ended with 34 saves and is 6-4-1 with a 2.73 GAA versus the Sharks.