Couture's first OT playoff goal beats Kings
Posted 4:46 AM ET | Comments 0
Ryan Leong filling in for Cam Gore who is on assignment. Cam will be back for Game 4.
Logan Couture is coming of age.
Couture has been mentioned numerous times on this blog how important he is to this team and this game only punctuates how he is the unquestioned 'leader' now. Sure the Sharks still have Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau but even the fans are aware how important number 39 is to the roster.
This game was certainly dramatic and the finish was similar to Game 2 in Los Angeles. Couture emerges the hero scoring his first career overtime goal in the playoffs as the Sharks beat the Kings 2-1 in Game 3.
Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle who also netted a goal on the power play complimented the young center.
“He’s obviously a huge, huge part of our team," Boyle said. "He scores the game winner with a terrific shot. That’s a pretty good shot but I’ve said before he’s a tremendous hockey player.”
Penalties take on added importance in the playoffs and both teams were equal in that category until late in the third period when the Kings took a pair of minors that ultimately led to the game winner by Couture.
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Both teams played a grind it out style of hockey which is how the Kings have succeeded the past two years.rnrnIt certainly helped that the Sharks were able to score first to take the lead thanks to a Jake Muzzin penalty for delay of game-puck over the glass putting San Jose on the power play.
The Kings answered back when Brad Stuart committed a costly turnover after Antti Niemi came out of his net to play the puck and passed it to Stuart behind the net. Stuart's pass was intercepted by Tyler Toffoli who backhanded the puck over the right leg of Niemi evening the score 1-1.
But much of this game like many others when teams get deep into the playoffs, was taking away space and trapping players from creating wide open scoring chances.rnrnWhen both sides got those chances, each goalie was up to the challenge making key saves.
And although Brad Stuart made a costly turnover allowing the Kings to tie the game in the first period, he also had the hit of the game on Justin Williams.
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A few penalties on either side weren't called. The ones that were appeared correct looking at replays. The key to the win: the Sharks scored both goals on the power play and often times, special teams make the difference.rnrnIn the other dressing room, the Kings were obviously frustrated but noted it's extremely difficult to kill off a 5-on-3, especially in the playoffs.
"In general, anytime you've got a penalty in the playoffs, you don't want to take one," Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi said. "Certainly we're not happy with the calls but what team really is? We'll try to do our best to dust ourselves off and get ready for the next one."
Scoring details
1st period
SJ – 1:34 –PP – 22 D.Boyle (2) – assists – 12 P.Marleau (2), 8 J.Pavelski (5)
2nd period
LA – 10:08 –EV – 73 T.Toffoli (1) – unassisted
1st OT period
SJ – 1:29 –PP – 39 L.Couture(4) – assists – 12 P.Marleau (2), 19 J.Thornton (7)
Turning point
The Kings already down a man when Trevor Lewis is called for goalie interference with five seconds remaining in the third period giving the Sharks a 5-on-3 power play for 1:19 in overtime.
Contenders and Pretenders
Contenders
Logan Couture – certainly on this list for his presence on the ice. In the second period, he took a hit from Jeff Carter and his left foot jammed into the boards near the Kings bench. Couture spent most of the period in the dressing room getting treatment. With Martin Havlat also re-injuring his groin, Sharks coach Todd McLellan had to juggle his lines and shuffle around 10 forwards. But Couture's return was the energy the team needed and of course he scores the game-winner.
Pretenders
Trevor Lewis – The hero of Game 2 was the goat in this one. Los Angeles argued unsuccessfully that Lewis was pushed into Antti Niemi by Patrick Marleau. But the refs didn't see it that way and his penalty for goalie interference shifted the momentum entirely in the Sharks favor giving San Jose the two-man advantage.
Jonathan Quick – Definitely not his best game. Although he only allowed the one goal in regulation he didn't seem as sharp. He also lost his composure after the Sharks game winner by breaking his stick and screaming at the officials, earning him a game misconduct.
Keep your head up,
Ryan Leong
Logan Couture is coming of age.
Couture has been mentioned numerous times on this blog how important he is to this team and this game only punctuates how he is the unquestioned 'leader' now. Sure the Sharks still have Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau but even the fans are aware how important number 39 is to the roster.
This game was certainly dramatic and the finish was similar to Game 2 in Los Angeles. Couture emerges the hero scoring his first career overtime goal in the playoffs as the Sharks beat the Kings 2-1 in Game 3.
Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle who also netted a goal on the power play complimented the young center.
“He’s obviously a huge, huge part of our team," Boyle said. "He scores the game winner with a terrific shot. That’s a pretty good shot but I’ve said before he’s a tremendous hockey player.”
Penalties take on added importance in the playoffs and both teams were equal in that category until late in the third period when the Kings took a pair of minors that ultimately led to the game winner by Couture.
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Both teams played a grind it out style of hockey which is how the Kings have succeeded the past two years.rnrnIt certainly helped that the Sharks were able to score first to take the lead thanks to a Jake Muzzin penalty for delay of game-puck over the glass putting San Jose on the power play.
The Kings answered back when Brad Stuart committed a costly turnover after Antti Niemi came out of his net to play the puck and passed it to Stuart behind the net. Stuart's pass was intercepted by Tyler Toffoli who backhanded the puck over the right leg of Niemi evening the score 1-1.
But much of this game like many others when teams get deep into the playoffs, was taking away space and trapping players from creating wide open scoring chances.rnrnWhen both sides got those chances, each goalie was up to the challenge making key saves.
And although Brad Stuart made a costly turnover allowing the Kings to tie the game in the first period, he also had the hit of the game on Justin Williams.
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A few penalties on either side weren't called. The ones that were appeared correct looking at replays. The key to the win: the Sharks scored both goals on the power play and often times, special teams make the difference.rnrnIn the other dressing room, the Kings were obviously frustrated but noted it's extremely difficult to kill off a 5-on-3, especially in the playoffs.
"In general, anytime you've got a penalty in the playoffs, you don't want to take one," Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi said. "Certainly we're not happy with the calls but what team really is? We'll try to do our best to dust ourselves off and get ready for the next one."
Scoring details
1st period
SJ – 1:34 –PP – 22 D.Boyle (2) – assists – 12 P.Marleau (2), 8 J.Pavelski (5)
2nd period
LA – 10:08 –EV – 73 T.Toffoli (1) – unassisted
1st OT period
SJ – 1:29 –PP – 39 L.Couture(4) – assists – 12 P.Marleau (2), 19 J.Thornton (7)
Turning point
The Kings already down a man when Trevor Lewis is called for goalie interference with five seconds remaining in the third period giving the Sharks a 5-on-3 power play for 1:19 in overtime.
Contenders and Pretenders
Contenders
Logan Couture – certainly on this list for his presence on the ice. In the second period, he took a hit from Jeff Carter and his left foot jammed into the boards near the Kings bench. Couture spent most of the period in the dressing room getting treatment. With Martin Havlat also re-injuring his groin, Sharks coach Todd McLellan had to juggle his lines and shuffle around 10 forwards. But Couture's return was the energy the team needed and of course he scores the game-winner.
Pretenders
Trevor Lewis – The hero of Game 2 was the goat in this one. Los Angeles argued unsuccessfully that Lewis was pushed into Antti Niemi by Patrick Marleau. But the refs didn't see it that way and his penalty for goalie interference shifted the momentum entirely in the Sharks favor giving San Jose the two-man advantage.
Jonathan Quick – Definitely not his best game. Although he only allowed the one goal in regulation he didn't seem as sharp. He also lost his composure after the Sharks game winner by breaking his stick and screaming at the officials, earning him a game misconduct.
Keep your head up,
Ryan Leong