The San Jose Sharks extended their lead to 2-0 over the Los Angeles Kings in the second period of Game 4, continuing their bid to tie the series before it heads back to southern California.
The period began with more wonderful flying bodies, as Kings captain Dustin Brown had this inadvertent collision with Sharks hero Logan Couture.
Couture was an injury concern after getting banged up in Game 3, but he was in the Game 4 lineup and took a regular shift. In fact, even after this collision, he deflected Dan Boyle's shot in for the Sharks' second goal. It was Couture's fifth goal of the playoffs.
The Kings were victimized by a quick whistle when a shot squeaked through Antti Niemi and was loose in the crease. But play was called dead just a fraction of a second before Dustin Penner pounced on the rebound.
This is the playoffs though, so fan-irritating breaks flow both ways. Midway through the period the Kings got their first power play when T.J. Galiardi was called for interference despite being taken into the goal crease by Kings defenseman Drew Doughty.
The Kings failed to score on that power play, however, and the Sharks needed no quick whistle to dodge a goal. The Kings misfired on both of their power plays. After the Sharks outshot the Kings 15-3 in the first period, shots in the second period were even at six apiece.
But the Sharks got the only goal, and if they can hold on, the series will be tied at 2-2 heading into Game 5 on Thursday.
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