Drew Doughty scored two goals and had two assists as the Los Angeles Kings hammered the San Jose Sharks 4-0 to tie the series 1-1 on Saturday night.
Los Angeles had revenge in mind after a tough loss 3-2 in overtime on Thursday, and used the strength of their power play and young blue line to set the tone early.
Doughty had four points and defenceman Jack Johnson scored his first career playoff goal in an intense and fast-paced second game.
Facing frustrated Sharks on their home-ice, goaltender Jonathan Quick had his first post-season shutout stopping 34 shots for the Kings.
Los Angeles had a better start than in Game one, but had difficulty guarding the blue line against the rapacious Sharks.
However, the tone changed at 12:13 of the first period when Kings’ Jack Johnson scored a power-play goal on assists by Doughty and Michal Handzus to give a 1-0 lead to Los Angeles.
San Jose paid for its undisciplined play in the first period by visiting the penalty box on several occasions. Doughty took advantage of a second power play to score on a slap shot at 15:45 assisted by Ryan Smyth to secure a 2-0 lead for the Kings.
In a game filled with rough plays and regular visits to the penalty box, the Sharks tried to change the momentum going into the second period. A vain try as the underdog Kings remained strong and in control of the puck.
The explosive offensive line of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Devin Setoguchi didn’t produce against the determined Kings despite being aggressive.
San Jose was playing without defenceman Ian White after he was hit from behind by Kings’ forward Jarret Stoll in Game one. Stoll received a one-game suspension.
Rookie Justin Braun came in the lineup as a relief for the Sharks.
Doughty came back with a slap shot assisted by winger Kyle Clifford and Rob Scuderi at 15:42 in the second period to give a third goal to Los Angeles. He added a fifth post season goal to his scoreboard.
Things got emotional and intense after the second intermission for the Sharks, who had a 3-0 deficit to overcome.
It didn’t intimidate Los Angeles who kept its offence and defence lines tight until the very end.
Clifford secured the 4-0 victory with a backhand goal at 4:54 in the third period on passes made by Doughty and Brad Richardson.
Game three is in Los Angeles on Tuesday.