Kings can’t match Sharks’ slower pace

Familiarity apparently bred defense, or something like that, among the Kings and the Sharks.

After combining for 77 shots and seven goals in San Jose the previous night, the teams reversed form Saturday, practically hunkering down and going into a slow fade at Staples Center. San Jose took advantage of the Kings’ relative flatness and wrested away the second game of this home-and-home series, winning, 3-1, before 18,118, a sellout.

Joe Thornton had two assists for San Jose, and the only Kings goal came from defenseman Brad Stuart (second of the season), with a shot from the left point in the first period, at 5:28, a second after a Kings power play ended.

And guess who would get the winner for the Sharks?

None other than former King Jeremy Roenick, who scored his fourth of the season, at 10:38 of the second period, putting himself on the doorstep of American hockey history.

It was Roenick’s 499th career goal, and with his next one he will become only the third U.S.-born player to reach the 500 plateau, following Mike Modano of Dallas (509) and the now-retired Joey Mullen (502).

“I want to hurry up and get it done and get it over with,” Roenick said.

He seemed to be headed toward joining the likes of Mullen in retirement, even sending a text message to a Philadelphia reporter saying so in early July, but was lured back by former Chicago Blackhawks teammate and current Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson at the bargain salary of $500,000. And he has gotten into shape, dropping to 197 pounds.

Surely, Kings fans remembered that he made in the neighborhood of $5 million during his brief and disappointing tour of duty in L.A. during the 2005-06 season, scoring nine goals and 22 points in 58 games.

His goal Saturday put him almost halfway to that lofty total as he scored from the base of the left circle on a rebound, controlling the puck before beating King goalie Jason LaBarbera, making it, 2-1.

Roenick’s goal drew the expected boos and a smattering of cheers. But he definitely didn’t want No. 500 to come in Los Angeles.

“I’ve got to be honest. I’m kind of glad I didn’t do it here,” Roenick said. “It will be a great thing to have happen. It’s going to be awesome. I’d rather be cheered than booed for an American accomplishment.”

He vowed that there was one way it would not happen, saying: “I’m not going to get an empty-netter. I’ll pass it. That’s a promise. It’s not going to happen.”

The Sharks received an insurance goal in the third period at 13:37, coming shortly after the Kings exerted some sustained pressure. Jonathan Cheechoo, high in the slot, beat LaBarbera between the legs after taking a pass from Thornton, who was in the right-wing circle.

On Friday, the Kings excelled at the high-tempo pace, beating the Sharks, 5-2, despite getting outshot, 47-30, but were boosted by the performance of goalie J.S. Aubin, who was particularly sharp in the early going before the Kings got going offensively.

Now comes a week off before the next game. “I’d rather keep playing,” LaBarbera said. “You know when you get a week off the schedule is going to pick up.”

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lisa.dillman@latimes.com