Game 1

Great game last night. I was thinking that it was very important for the Kings to score first and keep the crowd out of it. About 30 seconds into the game, San Jose scores and I had a terrible feeling that we were in for a long night. Quick looked a bit shaky after that early goal. He even fell down while coming around the net. While the Kings did not get many shots, they were playing hard. I noticed Ponikarovsky especially working hard and making some nice hits. Quick settled down and looked stronger as the game wore on.

Brownie scored on a nice 2-on-1 rush with Williams (powerplay no less) and we're right back in it. True to form, the Kings allow a goal minutes later when Doughty misses a hip check and Couture comes in alone. Granted, Quick should have stopped that one. I think he got caught leaning, anticipating the 2-on-1 that developed. Once Williams scored to tie it, I was stoked. We are one shot away from stealing Game 1. Kings pressed hard in the 3rd and took the play to the Sharks, clearly looking to win and the Sharks looked tentative. LA made up some ground on the lopsided shot count.

Going into overtime, I wondered how long this one might go. Playoff overtimes seem to end in the first 5-minutes or 2 periods later. San Jose had more chances, but the game was loosening up. On a back-and-forth exchange, Martinez got caught up ice and Pavelski came in as the 3rd man trailer. Pavelski rifled one into the upper corner, just as Martinez was getting back to check him. Game over with about 5 minutes left in 1OT.

The Kings were right in this game. If anything, the lesson is that we can play right with these guys.