Kings 5, Sharks 2
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings figured out a way to ensure a two-game losing streak didn't turn into season-long three-game skid.
Pound the San Jose Sharks from various angles, launching points and distances and then clamp down on them defensively from start to finish.
The result was a dominating 5-2 win Saturday night at Staples Center in which the Kings returned the favor after falling to their Pacific Division rivals two nights before in San Jose.
The Kings followed the same well-grounded recipe that has typically led to wins this year -- establish control early by scoring first, then continue to build on that momentum.
Kyle Clifford did the honors on the first objective, beating San Jose goalie Antii Niemi 2:27 into the first period to put the Kings up 1-0.
Justin Williams took care of the second objective by tacking on a goal nine minutes later to extend the lead to 2-0.
The Kings moved to 10-1-1 I in games they've scored first and moved their home record to 9-1 in their last 10 games.
More important for the Kings, they pushed two points ahead of the Sharks in the Western Conference playoff standings - 32-30 -- and are tied with Minnesota for fifth place.
Clifford figured prominently in the win, adding a goal midway through the second period to make it 3-1 and going toe to toe with San Jose defenseman Douglas Murray during a second-period brawl. Despite giving up an inch and 33 pounds, it was Clifford executing the takedown to claim the bout.
It was Clifford's first multi-goal game of his career, but it's difficult to decide what was more impressive -- the two goals or the takedown of Murray.
Either way, the 22-year-old left winger was a key factor in the victory.
But seemingly everyone had a hand, as 12 Kings recorded a point and Bernier had 20 saves on 22 goals.
If it's possible for a blowout win to have a turning point, it occurred midway through the second period when Kings rookie Tyler Toffoli slashed Tommy Wingels from behind on a clear-path to the goal -- shattering Wingels stick in the process -- resulting in a penalty shot for Wingels with the Kings leading 2-1.
But with a chance to tie the score, Wingels couldn't beat Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier, who snatched Wingels' wrist shot out of the air to preserve the lead.
The Kings responded with three straight goals, with Jarret Stoll, Clifford and Dwight King finding the net to put the Kings ahead 5-1.
The Sharks got a second-period goal from Patrick Marleau and a late third-period goal from Matt Irwin to make it 5-2.
NOTES: The Kings had won 11 of 14 before dropping two straight to Phoenix and San Jose this week, their first two-game losing streak since falling to Nashville and Detroit on Feb. 9-10. As was the case the last time the Kings lost two consecutive games, their recent skid occurred on the road. The good news for them is, including Saturday, they play five straight at home, where they've been dominant recently, winning eight of their last nine. ... The Kings hope to take advantage on the homestand. After that, they face five straight on the road beginning March 25 in Chicago. ... Kings top prospect Tyler Toffoli made his NHL debut Saturday. The 20-year-old center was the leading scorer in the AHL with the Kings' Manchester affiliate, scoring 28 goals and adding 27 assists in 55 games. ... Sharks coach Todd McLellan set a franchise record with his 207th win Thursday when San Jose beat Los Angeles 4-3. ... The Sharks, who snapped a four-game winless streak Thursday, play their next five on the road, including Saturday's game against the Kings.
