Jonathan Quick made 39 saves as the Los Angeles Kings won Game 7 over the San Jose Sharks 5-1 on Wednesday, becoming only the fourth team in NHL history to rally from a 3-0 series deficit.
Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar, and Tyler Toffoli scored for Los Angeles, while Dustin Brown and Tanner Pearson added empty-net tallies. The Sharks finished 0-for-6 on the power play in the decisive contest, adding to their long list of postseason disappointments.
[Source: ExtraSkater.com]
Star Performer
Quick was nearly perfect when it mattered most, stopping 14 shots during during San Jose's many man-advantage opportunities. He was screened on the Sharks' only goal of the contest and absolutely robbed Patrick Marleau on this point-blank chance with Marian Gaborik in the penalty box:
[Source: NHL.com]
Honorable mention goes to Kings forward Mike Richards, who fired a team-high eight shots while also starting in the defensive zone more than any other Los Angeles player. Richards - along with Jeff Carter - entered the contest with some experience completing miraculous rallies after both were involved in the Philadelphia Flyers' 3-0 series comeback against the Boston Bruins in 2010.
Turning Point
The Sharks failed to capitalize on three straight power plays with the score tied 1-1 in the second period and Kopitar made them pay with this backhand goal late in the period:
[Source: NHL.com]
The late goal seemed to demoralize the Sharks, who allowed another 4:40 into the third period and never recovered.
Highlight Reel
Matt Irwin scored the lone goal for San Jose - his first career postseason goal - on this screened shot 28 seconds into the second period:
[Source: NHL.com]
Toffoli scored his third goal of the series on this clever backhand pass from Tanner Pearson, flipping the puck over the glove of Antti Niemi, who finished with 25 saves.
[Source: NHL.com]
Niemi was sharp to start the contest, turning aside this fantastic opportunity by Richards off a faceoff:
[Source: NHL.com]
Sharks general manager Doug Wilson could not bear to watch after Brown scored the first of two empty-netters for the Kings:
[Courtesy: CBC]
Sharks fans know your pain, Doug. They know it all too well.
Sharks head coach Todd McLellan, meanwhile, put the blame for his team's historic collapse on his own shoulders:
McLellan takes the heat: "I'm responsible for this group."
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 1, 2014
There's no doubt McLellan will be on the hot seat in what will be a far too long offseason in San Jose.
Series at a Glance
Game 1 Recap: Sharks 6, Kings 3
Game 2 Recap: Sharks 7, Kings 2
Game 3 Recap: Sharks 4, Kings 3 (OT)
Game 4 Recap: Kings 6, Sharks 3
Game 5 Recap: Kings 3, Sharks 0
Game 6 Recap: Kings 4, Sharks 1
