Jonathan Quick Saves Los Angeles Kings from Elimination

Jonathan Quick (Credit: Bridget Samuels via Creative Commons License)

Goalie Jonathan Quick turned into a record-setting performance to beat the San Jose Sharks 3-1 and help his Los Angeles Kings live to see another game.

The Kings scored all three of their goals in the first period.

Wayne Simmonds got L.A. on the board, scoring on the Kings’ first shot of the night 3:36 into the contest. The assists went to Kyle Clifford and Rob Scuderi.

Clifford was originally credited with the goal, but it was later determined Simmonds tipped in his bid.

Two shots later, Clifford would score a goal of his own. This time, the helpers were awarded to Simmonds and Brad Richardson.

Just 88 seconds later, Dustin Penner would finally make a positive contribution to the series, sending a wrister past Antti Niemi, assisted by Kevin Westgarth.

Penner’s tally came on the Kings’ first shot after Clifford’s goal.

L.A. scored three goals on their first four shots and before even reaching the halfway point of the first period.

This prompted the Sharks to pull Niemi and replace him with Antero Nittymaki.

Early on, the Kings with a significant lead, Niemi out and Nittymaki in…this very scenario ended in disaster for L.A. in Game 3.

Los Angeles Kings Throw One Away in Loss to San Jose Sharks

How differently would things go this time?

Continue reading to find out…

The Sharks would get on the board with a goal from Patrick Marleau less than six minutes into the second period. However, that would be all they would get thanks to the stellar effort put up by Quick.

Quick made 51 saves, a franchise postseason record for most saves in one game.

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He made 19 saves in the first, 14 in the second and 18 in the third.

In contrast, Niemi made one save; Nittymaki stopped all 18 shots he faced.

Fittingly, Quick was the number one star of the game, followed by Simmonds and Jarret Stoll.

Stoll was outstanding at the faceoff circle, winning a game-high 88 percent of the time (15 out of 17).

This was L.A. head coach Terry Murray 100th game coached in the postseason.

The series returns to Staples Center for Game 6 Monday at 7 p.m. PDT.

If the Kings lose, they will be eliminated.

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