Kings 4-2 after two
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Another good period for the Kings...most of it, anyway.
They extended their lead to 4-0 and chased Evgeni Nabokov, who yielded the four goals on 20 shots before being replaced by Thomas Greiss. But they also let the Sharks score twice late in the period, both on power plays.
Ryan Smyth’s first goal as a King made it 2-0, at 1:52 of the second period. Anze Kopitar had thrown it in front and Dustin Brown got a piece of the puck before it bounced to Smyth, who lifted it past Nabokov’s glove from clsoe range. Smyth may never score a goal from farther than 15 feet this season, but that’s fine with the Kings. They need someone who will go to the net, and Smyth has taken up residence there--with Kopitar following his lead.
Jack Johnson, redirecting a pass from Michal Handzus, and Kopitar, with a knuckler over Nabokov’s left shoulder, scored 56 seconds apart to make it 4-0. But the Sharks came back, scoring on a power play after the Kings were called for having too many men on the ice. Devin Setoguchi one-timed a pass from Joe Thornton for his second goal of the season.
Alexander Frolov was assessed a double-minor penalty for high-sticking Setoguchi and cutting the Sharks winger on the mouth at 17:52. San Jose capitalized on that, with Rob Blake escaping the ineffectual clutches of Drew Doughty to redirect a pass from Thoronton into the net at 19:43.
More later at www.latimes.com/sports
-- Helene Elliott