Kings Blow Three-Goal Lead but Clarke Scores Late to Beat Sharks 4–3

AP Photo/Tony Avelar

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Brandt Clarke scored the tiebreaking goal from the right circle with 6:40 left in regulation as the Los Angeles Kings defeated the San Jose Sharks 4–3 on Tuesday night after nearly squandering a three-goal lead. Corey Perry notched his third goal in four games for Los Angeles, while Jeff Malott and Drew Doughty also found the back of the net. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper stopped 37 shots to help secure the Kings’ second consecutive regulation win, following a stretch of four straight overtime contests. Will Smith, Philipp Kurashev, and Alexander Wennberg each scored for San Jose, which remains the only NHL team without a win in regulation this season. During a 57-second stretch in the first period, the Sharks missed four clear scoring opportunities. The game’s final moments were tense for Los Angeles, as the Kings were forced to play the last 76 seconds short-handed after Joel Edmundson received a delay-of-game penalty for flipping the puck over the glass. San Jose fired six shots during the ensuing power play but could not capitalize.

Perry opened the scoring midway through the first period, cleaning up a rebound after Adrian Kempe’s shot deflected off Collin Graf’s stick and hit the post. Malott extended the lead to 2–0 on a breakaway goal assisted by Perry and Edmundson, and three minutes later, Doughty made it 3–0 with his first goal of the season from the right circle.

San Jose mounted a comeback late in the second period, scoring twice in under two minutes. Smith buried a cross-ice feed from Macklin Celebrini, and Kurashev followed with a quick goal off a wraparound pass from Wennberg. Less than five minutes into the third, Wennberg tied the game at three before Clarke’s decisive shot sealed the Kings’ victory.

Up Next The Los Angeles Kings will host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night, while the San Jose Sharks face the New Jersey Devils the same evening.