San Jose Sharks Shut Down LA Kings in NHL Season Opener

The San Jose Sharks played the role of party crashers on the NHL’s opening night as they soundly defeated the reigning champion Los Angeles Kings 4-0.

The Kings were celebrating the 2013-14 season Stanley Cup win, gathering at center to watch the Stanley Cup descend from the scoreboard prior to the opening game of the 2014 season, while their championship banner rose to the rafters in an exciting pregame celebration. This was about the only thing that went according to plan for the Kings for the rest of the night.

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The Sharks, seeking revenge for last year’s playoff exit at the hands of the Kings, dominated for much of the game, with quality possessions and superior movement throughout the game. The Kings appeared rusty and goalie Johnathon Quick got off to a slow start.

Tommy Wingel beat Quick not once, but twice for a pair of beautiful goals. He fired a shot from a tight angle over Quick’s shoulder for the first goal, and displayed his speed on the second, a breakaway that went in on a backhand that completely fooled Quick.

Wingel and rookies, Chris Tierney and Tye McGuinn make up head coach Todd McLellan’s newly minted third line and he likes what he sees so far. “They were effective, they were responsible, they were in on the forecheck, McLellan said. “To beat a guy like Quick you have to re-attack the net fairly fast. Tommy did that.”

Patrick Marleau and Matt Nieto also scored for the Sharks, who killed five Kings power plays. Quick finished with 23 saves in two periods of work before being relieved by Martin Jones, who stopped three shots on goal in the third period. Antii Niemi had 34 saves for San Jose in his 28th career shutout.

“Losing the way we lost to them [last year], we waited a long time for today,” Niemi said. “I think we’ve gained a little bit [of ground] on them [in the offseason]. We’re more hungry and we really want to do the details right this time.”

The Sharks are again considered to be the NHL’s best early-season team and have won their fifth straight opener.