Quick Read
- Brandt Clarke scored the game-winning goal in the third period for the Kings.
- Los Angeles led 3-0 before San Jose rallied to tie the game at 3-3.
- Darcy Kuemper made 37 saves for the Kings.
- Drew Doughty tied Rob Blake’s franchise record for defenseman goals (161).
Clarke’s Clutch Goal Caps Kings’ Dramatic Win Over Sharks
Brandt Clarke had ice in his veins when it mattered most. As the clock ticked down in the third period at San Jose’s SAP Center, the rookie defenseman found his moment. Gliding down the right wing, Clarke unleashed a wrist shot that zipped past Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov, reclaiming the lead for the Los Angeles Kings with just under seven minutes remaining. It was the kind of goal that changes games—and, perhaps, sets a tone for a team chasing consistency early in the NHL season.
For the Kings, Clarke’s finish capped a night that began with dominance, veered into uncertainty, and ultimately ended in relief. Los Angeles stormed to a 3-0 lead, only to see the Sharks claw their way back into a tie, threatening to steal the game in front of their home crowd.
Kings Start Strong, Sharks Rally Back
The night’s opening act belonged to the Kings. Corey Perry struck first, capitalizing on a fortuitous bounce after Clarke’s shot deflected off Collin Graf’s stick. Perry pounced on the loose puck, shoving it across the line for a 1-0 lead midway through the first period.
Momentum stayed with Los Angeles in the second. Jeff Malott doubled the advantage on a textbook 2-on-1, firing a shot past Askarov on the short side. Minutes later, Drew Doughty’s wrist shot from the right circle found the top corner, making it 3-0. The goal was more than just another tally—it tied Doughty with Rob Blake for the most goals in Kings history by a defenseman (161), a milestone that made the veteran reflect: “I looked up to Blake as a kid. He’s one of my favorite defensemen, and it is cool to be with him there,” Doughty told NHL.com.
But hockey is a game of momentum, and the Sharks were far from done. Will Smith gave San Jose life with a crisp one-timer after Macklin Celebrini threaded a cross-crease pass. Suddenly, the SAP Center crowd was back in it.
Philipp Kurashev and Alexander Wennberg took over late in the second. A spinning pass from Wennberg found Kurashev at the left post for an easy tap-in, trimming the deficit to 3-2. Early in the third, Kurashev returned the favor, setting up Wennberg for a wrist shot that beat Darcy Kuemper, knotting the game at 3-3.
Goaltending and Milestones: Kuemper’s Stand, Celebrini’s Streak
Behind the chaos, Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper stood tall. The veteran netminder turned aside 37 shots, keeping Los Angeles afloat as San Jose pressed for the go-ahead goal. “There’s no question we didn’t deserve those two points, but there have been times this season we have, and we’ve been on the short end of a goaltending performance ourselves, but we’ll take it,” Kings coach Jim Hiller admitted.
On the other end, Yaroslav Askarov faced a barrage early but steadied as the Sharks mounted their comeback, finishing with ten saves.
For San Jose, the night had bright spots despite the loss. Rookie Macklin Celebrini’s assist extended his point streak to five games (five goals, six assists), a promising sign for the franchise. Veteran Tyler Toffoli suited up for his 900th NHL game, a quiet achievement amid the night’s drama.
What’s Next: Teams Take Lessons Into November
The Kings, now 5-3-3, have won four of their last five and extended their point streak to six games (4-0-2). Their ability to withstand the Sharks’ furious rally spoke to a resilience that could serve them well as the season wears on. Road games have been particularly fruitful for Los Angeles, sporting a 5-1-2 record away from home.
San Jose, meanwhile, dropped to 2-6-2 but showed flashes of their potential. “The result stinks, but I thought we played really hard, did some really good things for our most complete game of the year,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said. With young talent emerging and veterans reaching milestones, the Sharks have reasons to believe better results could be ahead.
Key Stats and Notes
- Brandt Clarke: 1 goal, 1 assist (game-winner)
- Corey Perry: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Jeff Malott and Drew Doughty: 1 goal each
- Darcy Kuemper: 37 saves
- Philipp Kurashev and Alexander Wennberg: 1 goal, 1 assist each
- Macklin Celebrini: 5-game point streak (11 points)
- Tyler Toffoli: 900th NHL game
As October winds down, both teams will look to build on the night’s lessons. The Kings found their nerve when it counted, while the Sharks proved their fight isn’t easily snuffed out.
In a contest that showcased grit and momentum swings, the Kings’ ability to regain composure and seize victory amid mounting pressure speaks volumes about their early-season identity. For the Sharks, the comeback fell just short, but their spirited push highlighted a growing chemistry that could yet reshape their season.