SAN JOSE – The Sharks thrashed the visiting Los Angeles Kings on Monday night, 7-2.
Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov takes a shot to his mid-section as defenseman Henry Thrun (3) attempts to hold off Kings forward Alex Turcotte (15) – Photo by Jack Lima
Macklin Celebrini hit for a double and three points in the win.
“I thought we had a pretty solid hockey game,” San Jose coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “Obviously, [there are] some things we have to look at and get a little bit better in certain areas, but credit to the guys. If you look back, the third period has probably been our best period consistently all year. To put a couple of goals in the back of the net was important for our group.”
Yaroslav Askarov made 22 saves in the win.
“That was nice,” Askarov said. “[It’s] always fun to win.”
The Kings’ offense was limited to a marker form Anze Kopitar, who added an assist, and Brandt Clarke.
“One thing people have to understand is, you shouldn’t disrespect this team,” Los Angeles coach Jim Hiller said. “That’s not a team trying to tank. That is a good hockey team. Strong players. We played them three times; they beat us twice.”
Celebrini hit for the game-winner at 1:03 of the third frame when he put the sharks up, 3-2.
From there, the Sharks piled on with a barrage of goals.
Timothy Liljegren stretched the lead to 4-2 at 3:14, and Celebrini scored his double on the power play at 3:43 for a 5-2 advantage.
“For the better part of 40 minutes, we weren’t upset with our game,” Kopitar said. “We went into the third period with a tie score, but we have to make sure you maintain that and win a hockey game on the road. Obviously, it went sideways on us.”
Alex Wennberg ballooned the lead to 6-2, and Luke Kunin added the final insult for the 7-2 final score.
David Rittich made 14 saves in the loss.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Sharks rookie forward Macklin Celebrini looks to make a pass – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov makes a save on a shot from Quinton Byfield (55) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov makes a save during first period action – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov makes a kick save during second period action – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov avoids a snow shower as he tracks the puck – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks forward Will Smith (2) hooks Warren Foegele (37) as he moves the puck up ice – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks forward Nico Sturm (7) opens the scoring with a first period breakaway goal past Kings goalie David Rittich – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini fires a shot past Kings goalie David Rittich for his second goal in the third period – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini (11) celebrates his second goal of the game with William Eklund (72) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Jake Walman blocks a shot after goalie Yaroslav Askarov was caught out of position – Photo by Jack Lima
Macklin Celebrini, center, celebrates his first-third period goal with teammates Henry Thrun (3) Fabin Zetterlund (20) and William Ekland (72) – Photo by Jack Lima
Linesperson Travis Gawryletz drops the puck on a faceoff between Anze Kopitar, left, and Ty Dellandrea – Photo by Jack Lima
Kings goalie David Rittich makes a blocker save on a shot from Luke Kunin (11) – Photo by Jack Lima
Kings captain Anze Kopitar prepares for a faceoff – Photo by Jack Lima